Nationals! One of the biggest events for most mtb racers.
Last year was my first experience of Nationals. It was a huge step up from local 'under 15' races to under 17 at the National level. This year I was determined to perform better, particularly as was to be final race in the under 17's due to by birthday being right on the age threshold. Time to make a name for myself before under 19.
There are 3 races in the National series - Wellington, Nelson and Rotorua. Rotorua was no problem being relatively close to Auckland, but my parents said I would have to choose between the other two as we could only afford one.
I had never ridden either Wellington or Nelson, but I had family in Wellington and given Pop (grandad) has been a major supporter of mine, this was the obvious choice.
So hundreds of Dads Airpoints later, Pop, Dad and I were winging our way to Wellington the day before the Saturday race. Unbeknown to us, it was Wellington Anniversary that weekend so we had a wicked deal on a luxury hotel in the city centre - nice!!!!
Arriving Friday morning I decided to test the track straightaway. It was a simple unpack and bike assembly in the airport car park before a 10min ride to the Hataitai Velodrome where the race base was located. The track, while technical in places, proved no problem for me and I got the hang of the track quite quickly, but the climbs were mean. It was going to be tough racing.
The next day (race day) I decided to ride from the hotel to the velodrome as part of my warm up. After some quick laps around the velodrome I felt physically prepared but mentally I was jittery - those hills had started to unnerve me.
The race start up the velodrome entry road was quite short but steep. Even in that short distance the top 2 riders managed to get 100meters in front of everyone else - fast!
I was holding in with the top 5 entering the first hill climb section but with a lot of rough riding, passing, handlebar rubbing and poor lines on my part, I ended up being pushed to the back by the top of the hill. I desperately tried to use the first level section to sprint up to the top 5 again but that hill truly had killed me already.
I maintained 12th through the first 3 laps but with limited opportunities for passing the top riders were increasing their leads. Entering the 4th and final lap I realised that breaking through was almost impossible ( I was exhausted). Instead I decided to hunt down 11th place rider in front of me. Getting close on his tail I had noticed that his downhill skills were not the best. I knew that the final downhill prior to the finish was my best option so when this approached I used up the last of my reserves and went for it.
Coming up on him fast I could tell he had heard me as he too started to crank up. We were both going full-bore into the start of the downhill - there was absolutely no room for error. Suddenly my competitor pulled right back - he had toasted himself. I had manged to get in front without the pressure of someone right on my tail and by the end of the downhill he was no where to be seen.
I was on my own for the final sprint to, and around the velodrome. I was just some pleased to have completed that one exhausted by uninjured.
11th was way below my goal but I was still pleased just to have finished. The competition was the best I have ever faced and the course had been tough and unrelenting.
Thanks to Jesse Voza and the J-Squad team for the training, R&R for the support (moral and gear, plus always having my back) and of course dad and Pop for getting me down to Wellington.
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