While I had missed the first 2 races out of three (not including the championships) because they were to far away and we couldn't afford them - I was still very excited mostly because it would be my first year in under 17 category. It was going to be a whole lot harder than last year that was for sure, but I felt ready.
As we arrived at the Hunua event area, the whole atmosphere was amazing - a gorgeous day and really decent crowd (well done Auckland MTB Club!). I have to admit my heart was pounding! the combination of fear and excitement was offset by the knowledge that there was little expectation for me to win. I was still really keen to test myself against the older boys who show such amazing speed and skill.
As we all got ready for briefing, the fear and determination was obvious in everyone (making me feel better know that others were feeling the same). All the under 17s names were called up except for mine - odd!!! I asked a BikeNZ official what was happening and they had told me that I was marked in the under 15s but I didn't question them further and so I went to the back where all the under 15s where waiting.
Once the under 17s and Masters had gone it was the under 15s turn and I already knew who I needed to keep up with - Eden Cruise. He's very fast for a 13/14 year old and an amazing competitor (and a nice guy to boot) and can hold his own against the under 17's as well, so I knew it was going to be a tough race.
The standard count-down, "the race will start in the next 15 seconds"... these were the worst 15 seconds of my life, then suddenly GOOO!!!!!! We were off!
Eden and I were neck and neck up to the first corner where Eden managed to nose in front, but I was determined not to let him go. We battled hard for the first 3km until we came to a huge grassy hill where Eden just burst away and was never to be see again until the finish. Boy was he on fire.
The course was awesome - mostly very tight single track that broke out occassionally into big mown paddocks. Very hot, very fast and the gravel base on the tracks was unforgiving for any mistakes.
I did the 3 laps that the under 15s had to do, gaining a good lead over the next racer but as I came the finish line (knowing that I got 2nd in the under 15s) the BikeNZ offcial came over and told me that I was meant to be in the under 17s after all. He said that my registration must have been messed up so at the end of the day they had to DNF me in the under 17s (which sucked).
Still, I had the great feeling of achieving a second (just not in the right category) plus pushing hard against Eden- great preparation towards the final National Race the following weekend.
After the Juniors and Masters prize giving the under 23s would be competing, where I was going to see Anton Cooper (under 19 world champ) race against Dirk Peters for the first time plus Karen Hanlan and Kate Fluker in the women's. Everyone knew they were going to be great races, and they did not disappoint. Most importantly, watching them gave me an idea of how much further I have to go to get up to that level in MTB racing.
It had been a long, tiring and confusing day but hopefully a good build up to the championships in Rotorua - ROTORUA HERE I COME :)
ps. My fellow Jafakids did awesome with some top results and podiums.
Fellow R&R Rider and Jafakid, Robin Page got 5th in the under 17's which was one brutal race - well done!
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