Making the trip down to Dunedin for my last domestic race for the season was a good trip the racing was hard, the accommodation was great and I was with great people. I made the trip down with Carl and Katie (some friends) to help keep the expenses down.
The 2010 Mountain bike Oceania Championships were held in Forster Park, Dunedin. The XC track in Dunedin is my favourite track in the Country, made up of burms, technical descents, hard climbs and short fast laps.
We arrived in Dunedin on the Wednesday making riding the track our priority. We were all dressed up in our winter woollies for the only time while we were in Dunedin. The first lap was amazing and just confirmed how mean the track really is. I sorted some lines and started to feel comfortable on the track. I was confident for a good race.
This year the U23’s raced with the Pro’s and for one podium. We then were awarded with Pro UCI points which were a lot more than what we would have got in U23.
I was ranked in the top 16 in the second row of the start line, I had a alright start even though my legs felt like bricks and was sitting in about 12th going up the first gravel road climb about 2km into the race. I had been passed by a few riders on the second lap and struggled to hold their wheels.
As the laps went on started feeling better and better until the fifth lap (of six) where I started to fade. I had forgotten to have my carbo shot on the third that I normally do and it affected me big time, I started to lose focus and had a small crash. I got back up and pulled myself together.
After having my carbo shot I started feeling better however the crap had already set in and it was a strive for the finish line.
I finished 14th place with about three other riders closing in on me near the end.
On the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after Oceania’s MTBNZ held a performance camp for anyone interested, we attended all of Monday and Tuesday morning before heading back to Christchurch to catch a flight. It was worthwhile and I took a few valuable things away from it. It also included a skills clinic which was beneficial to me.
Thanks to Joe (Lockland’s mother) for all the cooking and shopping she did for us while we were staying with her! It made it so much easier. I will do a season wrap up that will include the NZ team long list in the near future.
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