Three Ring Circus / Season Wrap...

So - as they say in the movies - "That’s a Wrap"

Season 2011 / 2012 is now done for me.

The 3 Ring Circus yesterday was my last race for the year. Its probably my 2nd favourite race on the calendar (behind the Convict 100) and hold a lot of memories for me.
I went into it this year knowing that it was the last race before a break from the bike, and also knowing that I hadn't really been super motivated to train since the Husky 100km.
My weight was up (not ideal for the hills of Wingello), and my legs were weaker. I knew though that I just had to push hard one last time….

The field was very classy. Sid Taberlay - always fast, and fit from racing the US national XC series. Mark 'Tupac' Tupalski, Brad Morton - both of them are always good racers, strong as steel, and hard to race.
Matty Fleming - always classy. The Bernard Beer lads, the guys form Ashfield Cycles, Andrew Arthur from Stevens bikes, Tate from Marathon MTB, Stu Ferguson, Dan McDonald, and a couple of youngsters making a step up from XC into this shorter Marathon.
The Jet Racing team was in full effect in Wingello. The gun went and I looked around and all I saw was familiar red jerseys. Jayden, Kyle, Rob were right there. Then over my shoulder I could see Wayne, and Paul.
Given this wealth of talent, we can start to control the front of the races. After a fairly fast start from Jayden (a great way to string the bunch out and ensure no early crashes) we were in a line, climbing the first hill.
From that point on, either myself, Kyle, Jayden, or Rob launched attacks from the front of the race.
We wanted to make sure people were chasing, with a view to ultimately get either myself, Kyle or Rob away and off the front, with the remaining riders sitting in.
With a team of this strength, we are able to apply a certain amount of control. It felt fantastic.

Ondrej Slezak should be noted for really doing most of the chasing in the early km's, he and Sid were the ones to chase every move we made. As we hit the first real climb - the grassy double track on the start of the red loop, Kyle and I saw that Ondrej had decided to push the pace a bit into the beginning of the climb. This would mean that by the top, he would be too tired to follow a move, should it go.
We looked at each other and knew.
Kyle sat in as I rolled up and then past Ondrej and kept the pace on the hill high, allowing no recovery for anyone. Rob Booker joined me, and rode next to me, keeping the pace on.

With 20m to go, the hill steepens, and through the middle darted Kyle. The only one able to go with him was Sid. As we crested the climb Sid and Kyle were already 30m ahead, and Rob and I rode tempo, seeing who was with us. Morton and Tupalski, as well as Ondrej.
We descended to The Wall. I saw Kyle riding up, and then saw Sid getting off. Brad and Mark had gone past me on the descent, but they too found the going too steep, and were off and running.
Rob and I rode up it fine. Most people think that riding a dual suspension bike is all about the descents - its really isn't. My S-Works Epic is set so that I have a small amount of pre-load, meaning the back wheel actually bites into the ground when climbing steep, rocky terrain.
The fact that it weighs 9.7kg also helps with such steep slopes.

By the top of The Wall, the pattern of the race was clear. I sat up, as did Rob. We had no need to chase Kyle and Sid. Mark and Brad from Onya Bike / Giant were really forced to do all the chasing.
We rode the Red Loop fairly steady, as a four, and it was only at the very end of that loop that we noticed Brad was beginning to suffer.

At the start of the Yellow loop, Rob and I had a few meters lead, as we were faster through the feed zone. We sat up and talked…
"Brads hurting, but lets allow him back on for a bit"
"yeah, he'll go on the first climb of this loop anyway"
"Mark looks strong. How are you feeling?"
"Not my best. I don’t know if I can go with them up these climbs.."

I wont tell you who said which bit. Once we were four again, the chatting stopped.
The hills of the yellow loop soon took their toll. As predicted, Brad was the first to go. He had ridden so well, but blew-up in spectacular fashion. Dropping to 14th place by the end, and losing 10 minutes on the last loop.
Then there were three.
Mark is a very strong lad. He just plugs away, and keeps the pressure on. The next hill, he turned it on a bit, and although it was tough, I was surprised to turn and see Rob in trouble. He was dangling off the back. Then - he was dropped. 20m, 30m.
Mark and I crested the hill. I moved straight onto his back wheel. I wasn’t putting the pace on to completely remove Rob from the race. I thought that if I dangled a bit off Marks wheel, it would give Rob enough to get back on. Sure enough, within a km, Rob had made it back. We were three.

The big climb was to come. Splashing through the creek crossing that marks the start of the climb, I didn’t know what to expect other than pain.
Tupac put it into us straight away. This time, Rob was done.
Then there were two.

I was battling. It sounds mad, but I could feel the extra 2kg that I was carrying around my belly. Mark got a gap, and I couldn’t close it. 5m. I thought a few things to myself, but amongst them were:
"This is your last race for a while, find what you need"
"Don’t try and close the gap now, just keep it there and then close it on the flat at the top"

I also had some words ringing in my ears from my training group. We were racing for each other. We expect a lot of each other, and have a deep understanding of how we hurt, how we race, and how we win. It was that thought, and their strength that took me back to Marks wheel.
That’s why I race and train with a team of friends.

I sat there, on Marks wheel. I was fine. Cruising. Quick drink. 5km to go.
Tightened the Boa on my S-Works shoes.
I thought of my dreadful sprint (or non-sprint) at Husky. Jayden had given me heaps of stick for it. I had to show him who was Boss.

Around the fast left, 150m to go. I'm up, and giving it everything. I'm not much of a sprinter, but a big guy, down a slight incline, with 1200 watts, will take some beating.
It was enough.
I rolled in 3rd. Delighted, as to my mind, I had won. Kyle and Sid were in a different race, off the front.
It turns out the Sid had gotten the better of Kyle, but Rob had ridden strongly by himself to hold onto 5th place.
Sid, Kyle, Myself, Mark, Rob. Jet Racing in 2nd, 3rd, and 5th place.

Next result in was the Junior 'team'. The won the Teams event overall. Callum, Aiden and Jayden. Well done lads. 18th place overall. None of them old enough to drive yet.

Then came Wayne - 29th overall, and 3rd place in his category! Another podium. Bad luck to Paul Sloan - a mechanical handicapped his race.

3 Ring Circus. Run, won, and Jet Racing had a ball.

My season ends. I fly to London on Weds to watch the Olympics. To reflect briefly, its been great. Not at all smooth, but still successful. The primary goals - the Marathon series races - have had their ups and downs. Puncture at Wombat, Cramps and traffic at Cap Pun, and then a sold ride at Convict. Husky remains 'the one that got away'.
At the start of the year, if I had been offered 4th overall in the Elite Series at this stage - I'd have bitten your hand off. Time to re-assess the goals perhaps.

I want to say a huge thanks to 'my crew'. You all know who you are. Its been a hell of a year. Your support has literally the one constant that has got me through those dark moments - in races or elsewhere.
Kyle, Cap'n Kirkby, Jenny, Tim, Garry, Jayden, Rich - you all race with me.

Mark Newton at Jet. Massive thanks. The shop is amazing, the team is going better than we could ever have expected, and its down to your hard work. Lets build again.
Matt and Tanya at Specialized. Thanks. Your support is so appreciated. Your products are fantastic. I am proud to be representing you.

So - I'm off to get fat for a few weeks, and then come back and find a new level of strength, motivation and drive - Briars Highland Fling - I'm coming for you……..