At last the weather was kind to Cape to Cape racers, with a mild, sunny start to the final stage of the 2015 race at the Colonial Brewery.
It was a quick start through a long road stretch, which soon turned to gravel, then rougher double track as riders headed towards the first superb singletrack of the day. For many the ‘Middle Earth’ trails that featured about 15 kilometres into today’s stage were the highlight of the race’s four days, with flowing, natural, sandy tracks punctuated by enormous log rollovers and tonnes and tonnes of tabletop jumps.
Pretty soon, however, the trails were over and the race turned back into road mode, with long stretches of farm tracks and bitumen, where large groups of riders formed. The final kilometres of today’s stage followed technical bike paths into the fantastic MTB Skills trails encircling Dunsborough Country Club with berms, rock rollovers, and more jumps shooting riders into a dual slalem course and down a grassy slope to the finish line, a welcome beverage, and a fabulous crowd of spectators.
The men’s race was always going to be tight and exciting, with just seconds separating leader Mark Tupalski from Wollongong’s Kyle Ward. Early on a large group of 20 or so riders formed, but when they hit the Middle Earth singletrack Kyle led small bunch of the top riders to form a gap. Soon after, troublemaker Paul Van Der Ploeg, sporting a 38-tooth chainring, started driving for the stage win, shedding a few more riders through a section of sand. When Paul’s wattage wore through his chain and it snapped just a few kilometres from the finish, Kyle Ward took the opportunity to shoot for another stage win, snatching Tupac’s lead and earning the James Williamson Medal for the overall win of the event.
At last the women’s race served up a bit of excitement for spectators, and I was so pleased to manage to catch and stay with Peta for the first 20 kilometres or so, at times even getting my nose in front. Once again, however, some minor errors from me meant Peta just escaped on a very fast road section and got a gap. Although I worked hard to chase and joined a good chasing group, I lost them when a large stick got lodged in my chainring and ejected my chain – by the time I’d fixed it they were gone, and so was my chance of catching Peta!
Still, after a real low yesterday, I had a fabulous stage, enjoying some good form and learning a lot about race craft on these flat, open stages. Most of all I enjoyed riding past crowds and crowds of spectators who have been fantastic cheerleaders all week and who, although I might be grimacing, dribbling, or snotting when I pass them, always give me, and all the riders, a huge lift.
The Cape to Cape has been an incredible experience. It’s set in once of Australia’s most charming corners and offers plenty not only for racers, but for supporters and families as well. I hope to be back next year and if you’ve never made it out, stick it on your bucket list.
Full and final results are available online.
The Cape to Cape has been an incredible experience. It’s set in once of Australia’s most charming corners and offers plenty not only for racers, but for supporters and families as well. I hope to be back next year and if you’ve never made it out, stick it on your bucket list.