Stage 5 and 6 of the ICME endure was raced over the same course, a 25km fast technical loop over the stunningly positioned Golf Course of Alice Springs.
The morning stage was an individual time trial where riders would leave the start 30 sec apart. Fast technical riding is not my strength and I struggled with the rocky terrain. I was happy to finish not too far behind the top 4 girls for a 5th place. Jenny Fay proved she can dominate over any distance and smashed the female field for the win with Rowena Fry for 2nd and Kelly Bartlet showed what a skillful rider she is coming in 3rd.
The men’s race was taken out by Andy Blair with team mate Shaun Lewis for 2nd and Ben Hogarth for 3rd.
The night stage was a mass start and began at 6.30pm. I was nervous to ride in the dark as I struggled enough with the course in the day time. Not in a million years did I expect to get wiped out and submerge in a puddle not even 100m into the race. Whilst trying to get up I kept on being pushed down by fellow competitors passing me. It felt like a lifetime before I finally got on my feet again, my body was shaking and I didn’t know quite what to do. I decided to put the pressure on and try to race my way back to the front. I was passing people on the outside of the track picking crazy lines whilst praying I would not get a flat. Held up on the single track I knew this was not going to happen. I ended up in no man’s land after getting through the first bit of single track and decided to relax. I was dreaming if I would think I could make up the time lost. My heart sank when I saw Jenny Fay on the side with a broken chain, not a good evening for her either. It was a spectacular experience racing in the dark, seeing all the little lights zig zagging through the night was magical. What an awesome race.
I ended up coming in 6th female which wasn’t too bad considering my swimming start but I lost the 6 and a bit minute time advantage I had on the 5th placed girl Kelly Bartlet, which was a bit disappointing. Rowena Fry took the win, a great ride from Terri Rhodes for 2nd and Kelly Bartlet for 3rd.
In the men’s race it was a sprint to the finish with Shaun taking the win over team mate Andy Blair and my roomie Kyle Ward for 3rd. Impressive ride for Kyle since his leg was about to fall off after a nasty crash on Monday.
I managed to make the Rapid Ascent video footage, unfortunately not for the right reasons but at least I will be able to laugh about it for many years to come, all part of gaining experience!!
You can find me in the middle of the puddle…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2kEuFke83I&feature=youtu.be