Kalgoolie Criterium – June 3^rd – 45mins – 1^st

Conditions:   30°C Only minimal winds

The course was a T shape, with U turns at each point.  There was a gradual uphill to the right end T followed by a long downhill to the finish line.  I did a 20km pre start to turn the legs over and managed to find some glass in

I warmed up on the course to get the heartrate up and test the corners.  They were sharp corners so getting the right angle into each corner was critical to avoid loosing too much speed.  The last words I remember Bob calling out to me was “have a safe race – you’re heading to the USA on Thursday”.

I got around the first corner perfectly well, moved to the front of the peloton and took the corner at the apex at about 40km/hr.  Before I had a chance to ease some speed off, my back wheel slide out and I hit the ground, still holding the drops.  I couldn’t believe what I had just done.  Fortunately the whole peloton moved around me, so only my pride was hurt, along with a little skin off the elbow, hip and ankle.  I took a lap out, checked my wheels and then rejoined the peloton.  I settled in for a couple of laps and then attacked.  Two guys came with me, but they wouldn’t work hard enough so I counter attacked and dropped them.  I hovered 10sec off the front for what seemed like ages, before slowly my time extended out to 15sec and then 20sec.  Each time I looked back, a group was working hard to chase me down.  My heartrate was 180 BPM and we were only 15mins into the crit.  My lungs and legs were really hurting.  “Only 30mins to go” I kept repeating to myself.  Eventually I got a time gap of 30sec but didn’t let up.  I knew if I slacked the pace they would easily bring me back.  With 1 lap to go, I knew I had it won and eased off.  I crossed the line 20sec in front of the peloton.

Time to chat to the commentator, cool down and prepare for the handicap race in the morning.