Auckland Endura MTB series race 2 (Hunua)

For weeks I have been thinking over and over about my last race start at Woodhill where I had decided to take off and after 100 meters later, had burnt out.  This had made me realise what I should be doing with my starts, aiming for a high steady pace, rather than trying to be 1st the whole way.

It had been a beautiful week until the day before the race when it had hosed down. I could just imagine how muddy and slippery the Hunua's would be. As my family and I packed the car with all the JAFAKIDs BBQ gear all I could think of was "stick on someones tail that is quick" and "please god, no gear failure today".

When we arrived at the Hunuas after 9 o'clock, it was clear the tracks would be in reasonably good condition, with not a lot of surface water. In fact, it was looking like a half decent day.

For me, warming up before a race is crucial.   While I did this I checked out who looked like they were on form to be my chase partner - bad news, all my fellow racers were looking fit and sharp. A few minutes later as everyone were lining up at the start line I found my man - fellow Jafa Kim Wright.  Now Kim is always super fast even when he is having a bad day, plus he pushes hard at the starts every time, so sticking behind him was going to be a real challenge - but hey, you only live once right!

At the 2 minute call from the race organisers, the excitement amongst racers was obvious. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, GO....! In the big mass start everyone just jumped off the start line with real pace. And sadly my plan started to go wrong. With a heap of riders all aiming for the same narrow turn point, at pace, it was almost impossible to even see Kim, let alone stay on his tail.  As we came back out on to the gravel road after the first section of single track, Kim was out of my view and my race plan was in tatters.  Now it was all up to me pacing myself for the rest of the race.

As I reached half way through the 1st lap, I was being chased by fellow JAFAs Charlotte Rayner and Aaron Carr, both real rockets and tough competitors. Aaron and I managed pull away from Charlotte on another long section of gravel road, but the pace with Aaron up a small hill section was intense, and I managed to get a small gain on him just before we got into the next single trail. After about 5 minutes I knew that I had got well ahead of Aaron. Suddenly a person was on the side of the track that had caught my attention - it was Kim who had blown his rear tyre and foolishly hadn't brought a spear tube - ah, the lessons learned.

The rest of the race was fast but quiet, with me virtually on my own the whole time. I was doing ok but wasn't in the top bunch - I'd lost that opportunity with the start. As the end approached, I saw my dad on the side of the track, who informed me that Jake (a fellow Jafa and tough competitor) was only a short way ahead.  I tried desperately to pick it up a notch but truthfully, I had nothing left in the tank. I knew I'd have to settle for following Jake in.

At the finish line, all of my friends from Jafas look muddy, wet and tired  - but all happy - and having enjoyed the various battles that had occurred.  In fact, it was a really neat feeling at the race camp all round.  the best feeling after a race. Everyone cheered the last competitors as they came into the finish.

In short, for me personally, it wasn't a great placing (9th) but I wasn't unhappy. Completing the race at the pace set was reward enough. Great placings for all JAFAs and fellow R&R rider Robin Page, good job guys.