I entered this event to start off my racing year. I always enter the day 2 recovery ride which is about 72Klm, and is in no way a recovery. We started off at about 1000 in the limit group which gave us about a 20min start on the elite group. (This is a handicap event). The pace was high but sustainable throughout most of the distance, and everybody worked well together rotating turns at the front, and on the second lap of four, I challenged for the KOM for that lap but was beaten by a few inches on the line.

I kept on going until we were caught by another group of faster riders on the second last lap, and the pace quickened, so much that I had to work hard to stay within the group. Anyways, all went well until the last few kilometers when the elite riders barrelled through. Again I was fortunate enough to stay with this group until the last kilometer when they surged ahead. In fact it happened so subtly that I did not even realise I was dropped until I looked up.

I ended up being the first rider to come in behind the main peloton at the finishing line some 26 seconds behind them, and was satisfied with my efforts on the day. This was not a supported event, however it is always great to represent Defence.

Cheers from stan