PDCC D Grade - Wandi
After winning last week I decided that if I placed this week I would move myself up to C grade, I liked my chances as the Wandi circuit is quite hilly and I am quite light compared to most of the other riders. After the first lap it became evident that it was not going to be as easy as I had hoped, the pace up the hills had me at about 90% max HR and a couple strong riders kept the pace up on the flats too.
Half way through the 47km race the pace was really getting to me, I didn't feel like I was going to be dropped but I had all but written off my chances of getting involved in a bunch sprint. Luckily for me the last lap was the slowest of them all, the last 5km was ridden at a very slow pace as everyone was saving themselves for the sprint. Normally in this situation Nick would attack, luckily for me he was absent with a cold so everyone was allowed to recover before the final sprint.
With about a km to go I was second or third wheel, worrying that I was too far up front and was going to be badly positioned. The rider behind me (Lara?) attacked with about 600m to go, as she came past I was able to get on her wheel without too much difficulty. After a quick look back Lara (?) saw that a large group was on her wheel and she quickly began to fade. As she slowed I was worried that I would be swamped, we were just about to pass E grade on our left though so I knew I only had to worry about my right side. Arthur, who had been riding a really strong race, attacked with about 400m to go, one again I was able to get on his wheel and so coming around the final corner I was in second wheel. I was careful to hold my position for as long as I could because I knew I was boxing in a couple of strong riders who were taking the inside line around the corner. With 200m to go I started my sprint and came around Arthur. I quickly realised that I was badly geared and so had to adjust my hand position mid sprint to change, once I changed down I was able to lengthen my gap and eventually win
This was probably the hardest race I've ever ridden. I'm a little apprehensive about moving up a grade as I know for a fact I am not a particularly strong D grader (in regards to FTP), but I want to one day race A grade so I would rather come last in C then win D.
Thanks for reading!
Matt