01 December 2011 No better way to finish the season
Team bizhub finished their season on a successful note winning the overall ladies elite category in the Omnicane Southern Tropical MTB Challenge ...
Jade Roberts
(January 2010, Clarence Training Camp)
Fast One National classic
Waking up to pouring rain for The Fast one is not what you usually expect for the
season breaker. That’s why I love cycling so much… you wake up, get dressed, no
matter the weather and you go do your job… and that is to race.! : )
A new team, set-up and teammates made the first race a little nervous for us. Having
our two overseas riders with us for the first time, Jennifer Hohl (National Swiss
Champ) and Cath Williams (England) we at least had a good chance of getting to the
finish and winning the sprint. With no radios being aloud to be used, a rule made
by the UCI at the end of last year, the race was going to be a ‘little’ unpredictable.
With the weather still not letting up… it was going to be toughie.
There was a lot of attacking from the beginning, moves were made to let go, but
riders from all teams scrambled to close down any attacks that were too risky. And
as the rain kept on coming down, it made the race a ‘little’ dangerous.! At one
point of the race… there was a piece of road that was completely flooded. Not being
able to see if there were any potholes or sand, made it very important to stay near
the front as possible to get through safely without being caught behind someone
and crashing.!
With 20km to go till the finish, we decided to get to the front of the race and
try to control the pace. We were a little too eager I think… Lise and Cath were
tapping out a great rhythm, forcing the other teams to sit and wait for the spring
finish. With Jennifer on my wheel for the last couple of kilometers, I was hoping
to position her in the best possible place. MTN went round the corner first with
Arien just in front me… but as we came round, the pace suddenly slowed. I found
myself blocked in, so that left Jennifer and Cath to fight for position. The finish
was just ahead, about 400m, I saw Cath get a nice gap, hoping she would stay clear.
But then I saw that there was a big bunch to line, so it let open for all the teams
to go for the win.
We had the ‘right’ racing tatic... but maybe went to the front way too soon. The
first race of the season is always an indication as to what the ability of the team
is. I have no doubt we have the strength… all we need is the time to spend together
and with a training camp in Clarence from the 24th- 27th January, is will give us
that opportunity.
Ciao till then,
