Mountain Biking race (Sani2c) 3:15:07 [5] 78.23 km (24.1 kph)
shoes: Specialized Epic FSR Mthn 2014
Day 3 of Sani2c Trail
Mac and I started well, leading the Peleton out of the start and settling down with the lead group.
At 10km or so we found ourselves in front alone with the Europcar pair, but they pulled away through some phenomenal hill climbing. Recaught and passed them at waterpoint 1 at about 30km when they stopped, and we then had a beautiful very fast section of gentle downs through the cane fields where we led for about 15k.
They recaught us shortly before entering Vernon Crookes nature reserve, but we were with them up the main hill until Mac hit a rock on the down on the other side. We had to stop to bomb it as he'd lost too much air and we hopped back on as the 2nd / 3rd teams came past us. Stayed with them through the reserve and the notorius left hand bend, but still loosing air, so we tubed the tyre as we started the descent through the indigenous forest out of the reserve. Got back on the bike in about 12th place, and 4-5 mins down which meant we would have lost our 2nd place in the GC, all the way down to about 6th overall.
Decided to hammer it and try and catch back up with everyone. Had about 30km left of the race, but mostly downhill, so it involved doing things at very high speed. Caught up to 8th by the last waterpoint at 60km and then had a big gap before we saw the next few teams.
About 10km to go we saw most of the important teams and went flat out up the last uphill of the race, trying to pass them at speed so they didn't attempt to chase. We kept pushing until the floating bridge just before the finish line, crossing less than 2 mins behind the usual winners, so good enough to hold onto our 2nd overall.
Great result and absolutely thrilled to have come back from about 5 mins down to defend the 2nd place. Felt good for most of the race, even at max speed and had a good recovery afterwards as well. Going to remember this race for a long time. :)
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