There are always a lot of stories after a Mountain bike race, about the terrain, the course, the tactics, lines being taken, lines being missed. Sometimes you wonder if it is the same race they are talking about. The talk of yesterday’s stage was Kyle Ward finishing the last 30km without being able to sit down. His powerful behind was too hot for his saddle to handle and disintegrated underneath him. In the lead at the time this must have been very disappointing and many would have pulled out. But not Kyle. He made a lot of friends and gained a lot of respect continuing the race at a leisurely pace making conversation with fellow competitors carrying his broken seat with him. For finishing without a saddle he even got a prize awarded! His popularity is now exceeding his reputation with pictures all over Facebook and Twitter. Great exposure for sponsors, sometimes it really is not all about winning.
There are always plenty of stories after racing a marathon. Although stage 4 of the ICME, an 88km point to point race mainly over fire roads and double tracks made for the most straight forward marathon I have ever raced. To the point that it became mentally challenging to stay focussed! Again the terrain was spectacular and very unique, the legs got a bit of a hiding racing through, sand, sticky mud and rocks.
The day started very early having to leave our hotel at 5am for an hour and half bus ride to Santa Teresa where the start line was. Another unreal experience, I don’t think I have ever been anywhere more remote. My aim today was to try and stick with the front pack as long as possible. I had a bad day yesterday so I really wanted to do better today.
I was lucky enough to find a good bunch to ride with which included 3rd placed female Terry Rhodes. This was probably the least lonely marathon I have ridden so far. I normally struggle with the fast starts and end up riding by myself most of the way. It was nice to work together in a bunch for a change, I found it mentally and physically a much easier way of racing!!
The story of the day was the front group missing a turn and riding for an extra 10km before being turned back by race organizers which made for an interesting finish. We also rode the wrong way but not too any extend of that of the leaders which meant Terry and I didn’t finish too far behind Jenny and Rowena. I don’t believe it had too much impact on the women’s field but in the men’s where seconds count it ended up a slightly disappointing end to a tough day. Jenny Fay got the win today over Rowena Fry for second, I unexpectedly managed to hold of Terry Rhodes in a sprint finish for 3rd. Official results are still pending after having to deal with an unplanned orientering leg of the race.
After 3 days of racing in tough rocky terrain my Bianchi Methanol FS is still working perfectly and the MAXXIS IKON EXC tyres have handled the trails better than I have!!! I have also been very impressed with the Ozriders foam grips making this intense riding much easier on my hands. A Big thank you to all the sponsors involved with Subaru-MarathonMTB.
As I am writing this rain is bucketing from the sky. I must say this is the wettest desert I have ever been to!!