Team Powerade fronted up for the Nundah crits this morning with Gav, Shane and Craig in B Grade and me (Kent) and Brad (doing his first ever race) in C grade.
While crits can always be a bit of lottery we were all confident of a good showing after a great week of training on Mt Gravatt, Mt Cootha and of course the good old riverloop. Craig in particular had set some blistering times along the flats and Gav and me had managed a few PBs up Cootha while we all went crazy coming down Cootha (read earlier post The Crazy Things We Do On A Bike).
C Grade was first away with 49 keen riders heading off for 40mins plus 2 laps around the 1.2km circuit. Things went pretty much according to plan as the group settled into a good pace of just over 40kph. A couple of small breakaways were attempted but nothing stuck.
Brad and I found each other and rode comfortably in the middle of the pack. I was determined not to expend any more energy that necessary so that I could give the finish a real good go. Brad was looking like an old hand as he moved confidently towards the front looking the consummate professional.
When the 2 laps to go board came out I couldn't help but hear the screams from the big crowd as the Powerade boys yelled for us to get get to the front!!! Thanks boys great advice as it turned out.
As we commenced the second last lap I did as I was told by Gav and the boys and started moving forward with Brad close at hand. Now in side the top dozen I was feeling good for a good dig on the last lap if the opportunity presented itself. Unfortunately as I was to find out later Brad had missed the 2 lap to go board and was uncertain if we were on the final lap.
As we rounded the final bend with 450m to go I was just where I wanted to be, third wheel, but then I noticed one rider had somehow skipped clear and was about 80 metres in front. While I had hoped to suck a wheel for a while longer the time had come to commit so when a small gap presented itself I went for it and managed to scrap through. Apparently my early start to the sprint had caught a few contenders by surprise and I had clear air. The lone rider in front was pedalling through wet concrete and I was upon him with still 150m to go. No time think what was going on behind me I just put the head down and went for it praying that none of the other 48 riders were about to swamp me on the line. It wasn't to be and I held onto the lead briefly thinking as i approached the line should I zip up the Powerade jersey how should I salute the crowd what was that thing Contador does with with a pistol again!!! No it was just head down and hope like hell I got to the line first.
The boys were ecstatic as we chalked up our first victory in the Powerade kit. Brad finished a strong 8th and given his slight confusion on the last lap it was a great race for his first crit...well done mate.
The race had covered just over 31km in 45min at an average speed of 41.2kph.
Kent collecting his prize for first in C Grade
B Grade is always a far more tactical race and that's how it panned out again today. A six man break away got away and Gav did some hard yards early on to control the chase and keep the speed high for Craig. Shane was struggling a little but dug deep and held on in the peleton.
After the initial breakaway was caught another smaller group made a decisive move and got away again staying away until just over two laps to go. the 3 Powerade boys were all well placed with Craig and Gav in particular looking good as they moved forward with Shane still in the frame.
As can happen in crits the final lap is a free for all and not everything goes to plan and this is what happened with all three Powerade boys getting held up on the vital last bend. Craig managed to find a clear line but by now two riders had skipped free and Craig raced on for a gallant third with Gav and Shane finishing strongly. With a big field of 69 riders a great effort by all three guys.
All in all a great day for the team with a first, a third and a couple of top 10 ten performances.
Craig picking up the cash for third in B Grade
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