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My Best Race Ever...and my worst!

by Luke Webber, 17 Oct 05. Results [ 1» 2» ] Photos [ 1» 2» 3» ]

After a busy XC racing calendar, I took a bit of a rest before taking stock and moving into my winter training regime. For the last two weeks I have been getting in the miles and into the end of last week I felt super strong and was motivated to go to Gorrick's day and night race and put in a good result.

When I arrived and I signed on I was shocked to see that us Sport riders would be in with the Elites, however I was put at ease when the only fast rider on the line was Chris Minter.

The format was to ride one hour in the day and one after dark, with the results from both races being combined to find the winner.

I started out race one at the back of the field, but soon progressed through thanks to a killer tactic of running up the concrete hill cyclocross style.I only did this once though as it killed my legs more than riding the damn thing in granny ring/third gear combo!

After lap one I was still feeling like superman so I gave it gas and moved into fifth! I couldn't believe it as I passed more riders like they weren't moving. I was really enjoying the course by now, which was perfect for short track racing. It had lumps and bumps, slidey roots, off camber loam, and drop offs.

Another lap down and I could see Paul Howard and Tim Smith (good riders) not far ahead. The commentator said I was in third and I was super motivated from the cheers I got from my dad, James Dymond and Jon Lucas to mention a few. Thanks to you guys!

I wound up getting a little too confident on the loam and had a big front wheel slide, but I held it and everything just went right. I couldn't put a foot wrong. However on the final lap disaster struck. A mile from the line the rear end was leaking air big time. I ran the concrete hill but the tyre was flat. I grabbed a CO2 can and juiced her up rock hard, engaged top ring and hammered despite cramping up real bad. I had to cyclocross run the final bit to the line but I held out for third with seven laps!

I had no illusions about doing well in the night race, just to put in a few laps. The bike was fixed up (glass had flatted the tyre) and I decided to change into 3/4's as it was cold. Then from the car window I saw racers go by...I had got the start time of the race wrong!

I changed real fast and jumped on board, firing up the lights, but the legs said 'no'. I put in four laps just to say I gave it a go, but it was no good. The race had been lost because I was an idiot.

Oh well, winds up the best I could have done was third overall - Tim Smith has real strength in depth.

If I can get a good winter in, then I should be seeing the head of the Sport field in 2006. This was a real encouraging result and I needed it. I was thinking about throwing in the towel soon but this has given me new motivation.

See you at the races in 2006.