Ramblings of a racing addict

44 measley seconds. That’s how close I was to winning the Triplecross event on Saturday.

I’d be pissed off, but I had such a fun day there’s not much point dwelling on it. I had a super fun day. Got some great training in. And surprised a number of people (myself included) with my moto skills.

The MTB and Run legs were pretty uneventful really. I didn’t feel great but proceeded to romp away in the end. Posting the fastest split times in both legs, and having fun trying to drop the leading team athletes, which I managed to do. Run went well which is a great sign ahead of XTERRA. I built up a solid lead of about 16mins over Nick Saunders (the NZ Supercross #3) so was hopeful I could defend the gap in the Cross-Country moto leg.

Onto the afternoon and we were facing up to 4 x 14km laps of a reasonably demanding XC Motorbike leg. I started pretty conservatively, and knocked out the first lap in a bit over 20minutes after scaring myself silly more than once getting the bike all out of shape at over 80km/hr.

I survived… and got my head down and started getting smoother and faster. The leaders were doing 15min laps, and I was able to bring my lap times down to the mid 17’s -18 which I thought was pretty respectable. I figured provided I got out for my last lap before Saunders finished I was safe. I did…. So I decided I’d make a pitstop to top up the gas tank just to be safe (I’d only had two rides on the bike, and had no idea of its fuel range…. It only has a 7 litre tank).

I went out and put in a smooth lap, not pushing too hard and really enjoying it. I was actually getting pretty quick in the technical sections and was stoked to be riding only 15-20% slower than Saunders and Brad Groombridge, two of NZ’s best XC Motorcycle riders.

I held on to the finish with a time buffer still on Saunders. And with heaps of gas still in the bikes tank. Problem was I’d completely failed to recognize the threat posed by Vince Fletcher. I’d thought he was a teams rider. Alas, he was an individual and had done just enough to pip me for the overall. By a mere 44sec.

Stupid gas stop! Ah well, next year huh?

Interesting side note…. Going up against these guys made me realise what a weed I really am! I was able to use my old motocross pants I bought when I was 15, and they still fit fine. Check out the photo’s, honestly… I look like a 12yr old on the bike J


At least when I run I look like a grown up.....?