Wee Results in Kiwiland

Just got back from a few days across the ditch for the '08 Oceania track champs.

Am a bit disappointed, but then again I knew that overall I wasn't in any sort of top form. However I was having a good run at the home front on sprinting, and it was a shame to leave that aspect untested at Oceanias. A couple of reasons for this, but best to leave it to the race-by-race breakdown:

Thursday Nov 15 Points Race - 20km (80laps)

From my experience at the 07 Oceania champs and from checking out the attacking nature of the majority of the field, I had been expecting a real fast race and prepared for this by putting on a big gear. In fact, it was the opposite. My plan was to attack after the second sprint, which I did, but because no one was out of their comfort zone I was brought back pretty quick. This continued throughout the night, me attacking after sprints, but nothing would stick for very long. By applying this tactic I also ended up missing most of the opportunities for sprints. At one point I was very disenchanted and in my concentration I dropped off the back of the pack. It took me five laps to get back on. What a waste! Very disappointed and kicked myself badly for letting the side down.

Friday Nov 16 Scratch Race - 10km (40laps)

The Scratch race I decided to play the game as everyone else - sit around and then try to sprint with the expectant big bunch. Yes, it is against my religion but I still thought worth a shot. I have been sprinting okay locally, and wanted to see if I could hang with the noted sprinters. So I sat in and did very little work - although it should be noted that I actually pulled decent half-lap turns rather than the sitter-on riders, some of whom were pulling 2 metre turns - seriously! Finally a break of three went away and managed a gap which they maintained for a few laps. The bunch slowly went to work reeling them in. I was at the back so had to leave it to the others to chase. From here I could see what was going to happen - the bunch would catch the three, then sit up and look at each other. I knew it before they knew it themselves. I decided to capitalise on it. As predicted, they caught the three and swung up. At the same time I wound up my gear and took a massive flier from the back of the bunch, around the top of the track and onto the straight - as if I was doing a flying 200m. I quickly got a gap and suddenly I was half a lap up. There was also 8 laps remaining. Shit thats a long way! I maintained the half lap gap for the next 6 laps, much to the delight of the commentators, the Aussie coaches, Simon, and the crowd. But then I started to fade. I could definitely feel it, and so could the crowd. The noise became quieter. One of the Kiwi girls had gone to the front of the bunch and lifted the pace to bring me back, and the bunch engulfed me at the bell like I was standing still. The sprint specialists took out the top three positions, and I rolled in last.

Saturday Nov 17 Individual Pursuit 3km - (12laps)

The pursuit I was not looking forward to, and had been hoping for a result in the points or scratch to relieve some of the pressure. But not to be. I didn't think I was fit enough to ride a good pursuit, and the qualifying round showed. I qualified in 4th, riding a shockingly slow time, feeling terrible and with a sore right leg. During the cooldown I was cramping badly and wanting to throw up - normally natural post pursuit reactions but something wasn't quite right about it all. Still, I was confident of going 3 seconds faster in the final in order to win bronze. That didn't happen - I rode 2/10s slower and the other girl rode a second faster than her qualifying time. I maintained 4th. Oh well.

Invercargill velodrome was a blast to ride - a nice new track in a heated environs. I didn't feel particularly fast on it, but that could well be from my form. The South Island itself was stunning from the Dunedin-Invercargill car route, but terribly cold compared to Melbourne at this time of year. Sunday we left Invercargill in the cool morning, but arrived in Melbourne to 29oC and feeling stinking hot by comparison.