:: Christina's Racing Experience in Melbourne, March 2008 ::
:: Precision Cycle Racing Team ::
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Race 1,
12/03/08, 6.00pm (40 mins plus 3laps)
A local club crit around a 1km circuit. Have been put in cat d where both men and women race together.
I do prefer the heat as compared to the cold, and so the 35+deg was bearable for me. However, the lack
of humidity made my throat very dry and scratchy.
Race briefing occurred 5 mins before start of race. Prize for Sprint point and prizes for top 3 positions
(not gender specific...so its every man or woman for him/herself!!)
16 people started the race. It was a cat and mouse game. The attacks came mainly from 3-4 guys , and
all were caught. The circuit had a climb at one side, with a downhill on the other side. The finish line
being about 3/4 on the climb side. As the race progressed, it was obvious to me that only 5-6 of the guys
can climb well, and I know that the fight would be with these fellas.
The sprint lap came, and the speed increased. Was 4th in line all the way around the circuit to the line for
Sprint point. However, straight after this, another attack occurred, and luckily for me, was able to hang to
the wheel in front of me. There were 3 of us in the break about 10-15m ahead of the rest. Unfortunately,
we kept away for only 2 laps before being reeled in again.
We were told only 3 laps to go, and the speed increased again. Lines weren't kept as corners were
taken..scary!! When the last lap came up, the same fella who attacked just after the sprint lap, made his
move again. This time, I was a few positions behind him, and could not jump onto his wheel. He got away
with another rider. As we turned the corner to meet this last climb, there were 3 guys in front of me. I
managed to over take one, but could only trail behind the other 2.
Overall position= 5th
Race 2,
15/03/08, 4.30pm (40mins plus 2laps)
Average speed: 37.1km/hr
I was really looking forward to this race!! To race around the Motor Racing circuit 1.6km. Both men and
women to race together, prizes for the top 4. Was very determined to do well today, and was thankful
that the weather wasn't cold. In fact, it was hot...a whopping 38deg!! and also windy.
At the registration desk, I was told that there will be a prize for 1st lady as well. Cyclists started to warm up
on the circuit 20 mins before the race. The track was really sticky, and the resistance to cycling was high.
It felt more difficult to ride (or maybe it was my imagination). Was again put in d cat, to race with a total of
26 riders. It was really windy on the straight to the line, with little wind on the other side where there were
a few gentle corners.
With two tours coming up for me (Tour de Perth in April, and Tour of EGAT in May) my aim this trip is to
use these races in Melbourne to learn as much possible. So, my plan was to attack as much as possible,
and try different things out to see what will or won't work.
The bunch stayed together for the first 15 mins. I decided to attack at the 15min mark to see who would
follow. Also, if it wasn't successful, I should still have enough time to recover. With this first attack, one
fellow came with me. We led the way for 1 lap before being caught. Another attack by another rider
immediately, and the guy I was leading with, chased after him. My legs did not have anything at that
stage. So I stayed with the chasing group.
The 2 stayed in front about 40m, and we still could not catch them. So I decided to chase them down. To
my surprise, no came with me. I was in between the 2 groups...at one time, I was gaining on them but
found I would slow down again. After chasing , and in my 95% HRmax, for 2 laps, I decided it was best to
drop back to the chasing pack again. Also, we had about 10 mins of riding left before the last 2 laps
would be signalled. I wanted to recover for this.
Looked at the time, and only 5 mins left. It was inevitable that the 2 guys in front would take 1st and 2nd,
as they were now about half a lap in front of the chasing pack. Ok , had to decide now....will attack now
and hope a couple of guys will come with me, and hopefully get 3rd or 4th, and 1st female position.
Tried it, but unsuccessful...the pack kept behind and I couldn't get away. The last lap came up, speed
increased and everyone strung out in a long line. I was about middle of the train, and knew that i had to
go up front in order to have a better chance. There's no way I can outsprint some these guys from back
where I was.
Got out of the train, and powered the legs as fast as i can to overtake. Around the last bend and into the
homestretch, overtook 4-5 guys to finish 3rd in this pack to the line. 1st female to finish.
Overall position= 6th,
1st female
Have been advised that i need to progress to a higher cat next race
(must be all the attacking :)))
Race 3,
16/03/08, 9.00 am (45mins plus 3laps)
Average speed: 36.8km/hr
Woke up to find the legs are feeling quite good after last night's race. So with another local club crit
available to do, I decided to join in and see how I would fair. Again, the weather was to my liking...
warm/hot.
32 riders started, and I estimated about 1/3 of the field being females.
With the same tactics as yesterday in my mind, I tried going out 15 mins into the race. I tried this several
times, and each time could not get away. This group was a more determined bunch as compared to the
night before. Also, my legs weren't as fresh as the night before as well.
The whole pack stayed together until I heard a bell (or what i thought was the 3 laps to go bell) . A few
others did as well, and there were 5 of us in the front, about 20m ahead of the trailing pack. My heart was
beating hard, and the breaths were fast! After riding for 3 laps, there was no indication of the finish??
The checkered flag didn't come up?? "Whats happening?" "Oh no, it wasn't the final 3 laps" DRATS!!
The speed decreased, and the whole group together again. I'm thinking "now Im really tired!!!!!!! Hope i
got enough fuel to finish strong"
Not long after this, the signal was for 3 laps to go. As usual the group strung out into a line. Another
female took the lead for the 3rd and 2nd last laps. She dropped off with the final lap to go. Other guys
and I overtook her with half a lap to go, but found myself struggling to hold on to the wheel in front of me.
Turned the last corner, and still struggling to hold on. As we neared the line, the girl who was leading the
pack previously, overtook me.
Overall position= 8th,
2nd female
Thought after this race..."Help!! My legs are tired. Oh no, got to ride 30km home now"
12/03/08, 6.00pm (40 mins plus 3laps)
A local club crit around a 1km circuit. Have been put in cat d where both men and women race together.
I do prefer the heat as compared to the cold, and so the 35+deg was bearable for me. However, the lack
of humidity made my throat very dry and scratchy.
Race briefing occurred 5 mins before start of race. Prize for Sprint point and prizes for top 3 positions
(not gender specific...so its every man or woman for him/herself!!)
16 people started the race. It was a cat and mouse game. The attacks came mainly from 3-4 guys , and
all were caught. The circuit had a climb at one side, with a downhill on the other side. The finish line
being about 3/4 on the climb side. As the race progressed, it was obvious to me that only 5-6 of the guys
can climb well, and I know that the fight would be with these fellas.
The sprint lap came, and the speed increased. Was 4th in line all the way around the circuit to the line for
Sprint point. However, straight after this, another attack occurred, and luckily for me, was able to hang to
the wheel in front of me. There were 3 of us in the break about 10-15m ahead of the rest. Unfortunately,
we kept away for only 2 laps before being reeled in again.
We were told only 3 laps to go, and the speed increased again. Lines weren't kept as corners were
taken..scary!! When the last lap came up, the same fella who attacked just after the sprint lap, made his
move again. This time, I was a few positions behind him, and could not jump onto his wheel. He got away
with another rider. As we turned the corner to meet this last climb, there were 3 guys in front of me. I
managed to over take one, but could only trail behind the other 2.
Overall position= 5th
Race 2,
15/03/08, 4.30pm (40mins plus 2laps)
Average speed: 37.1km/hr
I was really looking forward to this race!! To race around the Motor Racing circuit 1.6km. Both men and
women to race together, prizes for the top 4. Was very determined to do well today, and was thankful
that the weather wasn't cold. In fact, it was hot...a whopping 38deg!! and also windy.
At the registration desk, I was told that there will be a prize for 1st lady as well. Cyclists started to warm up
on the circuit 20 mins before the race. The track was really sticky, and the resistance to cycling was high.
It felt more difficult to ride (or maybe it was my imagination). Was again put in d cat, to race with a total of
26 riders. It was really windy on the straight to the line, with little wind on the other side where there were
a few gentle corners.
With two tours coming up for me (Tour de Perth in April, and Tour of EGAT in May) my aim this trip is to
use these races in Melbourne to learn as much possible. So, my plan was to attack as much as possible,
and try different things out to see what will or won't work.
The bunch stayed together for the first 15 mins. I decided to attack at the 15min mark to see who would
follow. Also, if it wasn't successful, I should still have enough time to recover. With this first attack, one
fellow came with me. We led the way for 1 lap before being caught. Another attack by another rider
immediately, and the guy I was leading with, chased after him. My legs did not have anything at that
stage. So I stayed with the chasing group.
The 2 stayed in front about 40m, and we still could not catch them. So I decided to chase them down. To
my surprise, no came with me. I was in between the 2 groups...at one time, I was gaining on them but
found I would slow down again. After chasing , and in my 95% HRmax, for 2 laps, I decided it was best to
drop back to the chasing pack again. Also, we had about 10 mins of riding left before the last 2 laps
would be signalled. I wanted to recover for this.
Looked at the time, and only 5 mins left. It was inevitable that the 2 guys in front would take 1st and 2nd,
as they were now about half a lap in front of the chasing pack. Ok , had to decide now....will attack now
and hope a couple of guys will come with me, and hopefully get 3rd or 4th, and 1st female position.
Tried it, but unsuccessful...the pack kept behind and I couldn't get away. The last lap came up, speed
increased and everyone strung out in a long line. I was about middle of the train, and knew that i had to
go up front in order to have a better chance. There's no way I can outsprint some these guys from back
where I was.
Got out of the train, and powered the legs as fast as i can to overtake. Around the last bend and into the
homestretch, overtook 4-5 guys to finish 3rd in this pack to the line. 1st female to finish.
Overall position= 6th,
1st female
Have been advised that i need to progress to a higher cat next race
(must be all the attacking :)))
Race 3,
16/03/08, 9.00 am (45mins plus 3laps)
Average speed: 36.8km/hr
Woke up to find the legs are feeling quite good after last night's race. So with another local club crit
available to do, I decided to join in and see how I would fair. Again, the weather was to my liking...
warm/hot.
32 riders started, and I estimated about 1/3 of the field being females.
With the same tactics as yesterday in my mind, I tried going out 15 mins into the race. I tried this several
times, and each time could not get away. This group was a more determined bunch as compared to the
night before. Also, my legs weren't as fresh as the night before as well.
The whole pack stayed together until I heard a bell (or what i thought was the 3 laps to go bell) . A few
others did as well, and there were 5 of us in the front, about 20m ahead of the trailing pack. My heart was
beating hard, and the breaths were fast! After riding for 3 laps, there was no indication of the finish??
The checkered flag didn't come up?? "Whats happening?" "Oh no, it wasn't the final 3 laps" DRATS!!
The speed decreased, and the whole group together again. I'm thinking "now Im really tired!!!!!!! Hope i
got enough fuel to finish strong"
Not long after this, the signal was for 3 laps to go. As usual the group strung out into a line. Another
female took the lead for the 3rd and 2nd last laps. She dropped off with the final lap to go. Other guys
and I overtook her with half a lap to go, but found myself struggling to hold on to the wheel in front of me.
Turned the last corner, and still struggling to hold on. As we neared the line, the girl who was leading the
pack previously, overtook me.
Overall position= 8th,
2nd female
Thought after this race..."Help!! My legs are tired. Oh no, got to ride 30km home now"