National Championships

The good and the bad, it feels like a lot of our post’s end up like this but its racing and the competition out there is tough and getting everything right on the day is not always as easy as it seems. Our accommodation was awesome Ngaio cottage, a little holiday home where we all got the best night sleep in ages. We will start with the bad news first so we can end the blog on a good note.

Katie

When travelling to wellington on Monday I noticed I wasn’t quite right with a very sore throat however with a week to nationals I thought it was just allergies and that I would be able to get on top of it. I spent the next few days getting dialled into the track and all was going well, I loved the climbs, and loved the descents even more, especially after the boys showed me the fast lines.

Anyway Race day sick as a dog, it went a bit pear shaped Wednesday when the throat had got worse and an infection was obvious. I lined up on the start line with no thoughts of being sick, my main goal was to defend my national title and I wasn’t going to just give it away. The race started out ok I didn’t fire off the start line or anything but I was still up there, but by the second climb in first lap I was struggling, I couldn’t breathe up the hills and as a result I crashed down the hills as I was trying to make up all the time I could, by the second lap I was really struggling I was getting caught on my breath and it felt like I was unable to breathe out which completely scared me, I was unable to finish the race and lapped out on the second lap.

This wasn’t the race I had wanted, complete disappointment, I had taken vitamins I was on deer velvet and I was in bed early eating well, everything I knew and was able to take for sinuses I did, but couldn’t shake it. Part of biking is about getting everything right for the big events, congratulations to Samara, the new U23 National champion, she rode a strong race. Even if I had been fighting fit it would have been a hard race but one I am ready for at Oceania’s. As disappointed as I am all I can do now is put it behind me and look forward, So Jane Borren (Waiariki academy of sport manager) is taking me off to the doctor this morning.

Carl

The good news I guess. My week went well and build up went fine. Before the race the Commissaires and Mildy informed me there was no under 23 podium and that we would be racing for our title amongst the pro field, this was not a problem for me as if I was going to win I wanted to win elite but it was still a bit of a shock. At the start we had to start behind the whole elite field but it was strait into a hill so I was happy. I had a good start and was through a line of pro riders before the first turn I thought I had, had the best start form the under23 riders but then I saw Scott right up the front so I boosted over to his wheel, into the main single track climb I was about 4 and was tasting blood and heart rate was bound to be over 200. I was hurting but was all good, Mikey cleared off nearly strait away with Bergamont Brendon Sharratt holding on with myself, Stu, Dirk and under 19 Richard Anderson not far back. In the middle of the race I had another bad patch and was climbing weak as, I just wasn’t getting the fire I got at Tokaroa and at nationals previous to this 1, so I felt like I was just riding my bike was kind of gutted but I was still doing well so was keeping a clear head. At this stage Brad Hudson and Logan Horn had caught me back up and I was riding with them but I still had an extra lap than them and started trying to race them, which was good in a way cause Stu had blown and I really wanted to catch him and on the start finish line going on to the last lap I past him and got a second wind and took off finishing in 4 in elite and 2nd under 23. Well done to Dirk Peters for beating me fear and square and winning his first under23 title as a first year, and to Mike Northcott for winning another elite title, and Brendon 2^nd

Massive thanks to our Coach Evan McRae, Jane from Waiariki, Philipp from Bergamont and the Bike Culture boys in Rotorua thanks. Oceania’s is the next race in a few weeks may do some build up ones between then keep ya posted.