Rainbow Rage 2010

I haven't done the rainbow in a few years so I was looking forward to racing it this time. I have had a bit of a break from riding for a few weeks. I didn't know how I would feel in the race but still wanted to have a go at winning it.

The morning started off cold but then we quickly warmed up after a few km into the race. There was a break away that a few of us missed but we didn't really think it was a threat as it was in the 1st 5km of the 106km race. Once we got about 20km into the race and we hit the gravel, about 6 of us broke away and started to chase the 2 break away riders. Our bunch was just about to catch them until a rider nipped my wheel and crashed. It was joel Macmillan who later on won the race. I slowed the bunch down so that he could get up and still be in the race. This was a good move as he probably would have done the same for me and me and him were the strongest in the chasing bunch. We caught the break away about 20min later and at the half way point joel and I broke away with another guy up island saddle (The Main Climb). We worked together for the rest of the race until I got a flat tyre 15km to go. Joel went on to win the race and I got 3rd. I was happy about how my race went. It was good for training. I am looking forward to training hard again and will keep you posted

Karapoti 2010

The week leading up to the Karapoti had been really good weather and the track sounded like it could be fast. I arrived in wellington the night before excited about the race. That night it poured down and when we arrived at the race you could see that it was going to be quite wet and muddy.

I had a good start as I came out of the river crossing in 2nd place. The bunch split up pretty early and I was in the front bunch with about 5 other riders. I hadn't touched a bike all week but I felt pretty good. When we hit the 1st major climb I immediately got chain suck. I fixed it quickly but then it happened again about 10m up the track. I had to run most the 1st long climb and this put me back in the field and I could see that there wasn't a chance of getting a good placing in the finish. So from then on I still rode reasonably hard but had a lot of fun on the downhills and caught up with a few people who I hadn't got to talk to at Nationals. On the last climb I managed to pull a few places back because my chain had dried up and wasn't sucking as much. In the end I finish 5th in under 19 and did a time of 2hrs 47min which I was happy with. I have learnt that this race can be a lot of fun if you take your time and enjoy it. Its a great atmosphere and great to hang round and have a look at the end. Looking forward to next years Karapoti and hoping that everything is running good.

NATIONALS 2010, Wellington

Mt vic would be one of the most challenging courses to race a Cross-country race on in New Zealand. Steep hard hill climbs and technical downhill where you could never get a break. I was excited about this course as it really suited me. I got a feel for the course early on in the week and then didn't go near it on thursday and friday. I needed to win this one for myself, sponsors and everyone who has supported me throughout the season. Saturday came around pretty fast and before I knew it I was being called up to the line. The track conditions were great and it was a nice day. Maybe a little to hot! Under 19s started with the elite and under 23. I had planned to race hard from the start but not go out to hard. I got a good start and by the top of the 1st climb I was sitting about 4th or 5th out of everyone. Brad Hudson, another under 19 rider was sitting on my wheel at this point. About half way through the 1st lap I had left him and a few other riders and had caught elite riders Mike Northcott and Brendon Sharrett who were leading the elite race. I stayed with these guys for a couple of laps until Mikey broke away. I didn't want to blow trying to keep up with him so I stayed with Brendon until the last half of my last lap. I attacked there and held on to come across the line in second place at the time out of the whole field and winning under 19. Mikey and Brendon still had one more lap to do. It was great racing with those top guys and Brendon and I pushed each other through out the race which was really good. I finished 3min 11sec in front of 2nd place getter Logan Horn from christchurch. Brad Hudson was 3rd.

I would like to thank everyone who has helped me out and all my sponsors. My major sponsors are Peakfuel, Credit Recoveries Limited, Reidie Cycles and Mum and Dad. Tony Catterick my coach has been great and has been the main guy behind my results. Lucky to have him and also all my supporters.

Rotorua North Island Cup Final

Its always good going up to Rotorua to race and ride the tracks. We arrived two nights before the race and managed to go over the track the morning before. The track was a really fun track with a few small hard climbs in it and some sweet technical sections. After a couple of laps around it we called it quits and rode a few other tracks, then went back to the cabin.

Race day was a great day and really warm. My legs were feeling alright but still a bit tired from the weeks training. The start of the race was fast and hard as we took off with the elite men up the road then into the single track. I had talked to my coach (Tony Catterick) about race tactics and we decided that I should just sit in with the front of the under 19 race for the 1st few laps. This was good as I found more lines as the race went on because I was following local rider Sam Shaw. Half way into the 3rd lap I had planned to attack and hopefully hold a lead through to the finish. This is exactly what I did and it worked really well. I finished 1min 44sec in front of 2nd place rider Sam Shaw. I was pleased with my result and happy to use different tactics that work.