Tuesday 25 June 2013

Mankele SA xco #4

So about two weeks ago we traveled down to the lowveld for a mountainous training camp in and around the Mankele area. Soon it was time to head back for the 4th and final SA xco Cup series and after a solid race last year on more or less the same course, I was looking forward to a proper dice with the big boys.

Thursday morning we loaded a couple of bicycles into our well rigged ASG PYcycling trailer and with Yolande behind the wheel we soon arrived. Knowing what was coming I wasn't too worried about course practice, but that ski jump drop was messing with my head after lap 2. Maybe entering way to hot with only 1.2bar in the tires was not such a good idea. I burped my front wheel. Guess it's a good thing to get a little wake up call from time to time. Needless to say I inflated the Conti's a bit more Friday morning and after two smooth laps with team mate steph, I was happy to get my legs up and relax. 

Early Saturday morning uncle Paul took the girls out to the track to get them ready for their race and to insure we had the perfect setup for the day. He allowed Steph and I to drive out later with his fancy little red car. My word! I pulled in at Mankele race ready and after mixing some High5 in my bottles it was time to line up between all the big guns.


The start was a drag race with everyone fighting for a good position before the first single track. I was happy with 5th wheel or so, but as we hit the open Climb the second drag race started. Plenty side by side elbow touching action as everyone tried to move up closer to the front. Once again I was happy with my position and up to this point everything went as planned.


With this being a fairly flat and fast course, we all knew the racing was going to be super close and jumping off the front would take a special effort and some really smooth riding through the technical sections without making any mistakes. For the first 3 laps or so I found myself hanging on to a solid group chasing Phil around. I experienced a strange emotion about half way through the race, some sort of panic and relief at the same time. Rourke had a problem with his cleat so he explained his situation and asked James for a multi tool, but they were almost chatting in full sentences while my legs and lungs were on the limit. I knew something was wrong and soon Rourke pulled over. 



The pace picked up properly and eventualy James went off the front. I couldn't follow any of the moves and was left alone with a ginger. Luke and I battled for a while, but towards the end fatigue, mechanicals and mistakes started taking it's toll, but with good legs and a bit of luck I finished 4th pro elite and 2nd u/23.   



After a nice celebration dinner with Melt, Yolandie and the Scott guys we left Nelspruit Sunday morning. Quick brekkie and hike around Kaapsehoop was something different and stunning to end of a pretty good weekend.