|
Reports by:
Pictures from this event.
|
|
What Richard saw:
Category: 3
Result: Mid-pack
Stage 3 - Criterium, 14th
Yuk, an early start was required to get to Brisbane for my 8am race. I
warmed up ok, with the legs feeling not too bad. Out for a couple of
warm-up laps, I notice that the course was subtly changed from the previous
year in a couple of places, changing which side of the median we rode on at
least on part of the course.
I got a terrible start, failing to clip in twice (!!) and ending up second
to last wheel into the first corner. So much for my front row start. Not
much to report - there was a lot of hitting of pedals, but at least in our
race, I didn't see anyone go down because of this. Accelerating out of the
hairpin was always hard, the left-right combination was fun and the
finishing rise was a good place to move up on the inside. I didn't have
what it took to contest the sprint and rolled in 14th.
Final GC 19th.
Watching the others race on Sunday was fun. I got a whole load of
photographs of Mike Z., Jorge and Chris racing the crit - some of them are
good.
Back to top
|
|
What Matt I. saw:
Category: 4
Result: Did not finish
So, I was all ready to make up some of that 33rd placing with the crit.
I was fired up for it and had a good warmup. The race started off well
for me, I got clipped in right away-unlike last years 3 missed clips!
Right away I stayed near the front and found it pretty easy. The 180
wasn't that bad. I had a close call myself when my pedal skipped and
made my back wheel hop. Oops. About 20 mins into the race, disaster
struck. On the s-section after the 180 ( a left to right turn ) some
idiot in front of me decided to slam on his stoppers in reaction to a
slowdown at the front. I hit his rear wheel and hit the deck. After
hitting the ground and seeing my bike do a somersault, the riders behind
me ram right into me, one of them hitting my neck while I was on the
ground. Ouch.
I get up and several others are on the gound too. I pick
up my bike and my water bottle. I relized my neck was hit pretty bad..a
bit dazed. Got to the pit area and gave my bike to Matt the coach. It
was over at that point, I didn't want to risk further injury by
continuing. A quick survey found that my seat cover is torn, both brake
levers scratched and bent inwards (fixed by a couple of tugs )-not bad.
Road rash on both sides of my hip, elbow, and palm. The road rash was
light. No bleeding and my shorts didn't have any tears in them. Whew. My
neck was a different story. Its been stiff alll week. Ouch.
Ahh it was bound to happen-crashing. I had such good luck last year
without crashing.
Just maybe-next year-will have some better luck!!
Back to top
|
|
Pictures
Back to top
|
