I have been a bit slack in writing this report so I thought I should get it done. Last weekend was the first Summer Cup round at Underwood park. There was a great turn out from the elite to the first timers there was a hole range of people out there experiencing
mtb. We arrived early to make sure we got a close park and so I had a chance to check out the track. The track was a short 2.1km sprint. mostly single track with small places of double track. Not to much technical sections besides a rough slick rock drop. most of the course was pretty rough not to many smooth lines and a couple of short sharp hills. B-grade started at 9:30 so I had a bit of time to relaxing and check over the bike. Around 9 I went out for a warm up. Underwood park is a large sporting complex with plenty of bush and road so I and
alot of room to warm up on. Rolled back around to the start area while we got called up. My plan was to go out as hard as I could and try to stay up the front till I cracked just testing to see where the body was at, I wasn't to fussed about winning the race as I was the first of the yr. The gun went off and I had one of my best starts ever. First pedal stroke and both feet were clipped in. After the first 20m of grass paddock I had about 2 bike lengths up on the field as we entered into the single track. The first section was up hill so I try to get the gap out as much as possible. By the end of the lap 1/7 I was 30secs up and feeling really strong. I kept pushing hard and by the 5
th lap had a good 150-200 m on second and third. I felt strong enough to keep it up to the finish, maybe win my first ever race till..... I through the slick rock section on the 6
th lap and really started to hammer it home only having one more lap to go. I was flying down a double track section at around 30-35kph and just over shoot the tight left hand corner. Washed out really bad and hit my hip pretty bad. Jumped back onto the bike just as 2
nd and 3rd went past. I was able to roll around in 3rd for one more lap till the finish. I wasn't to upset that I didn't win but more the fact that I couldn't hold the lead and stay on the bike. I won $40 for third in B-grade so I was stoked with that. My Spats Cage ti frame was super smooth over all the bumps and
handled well in the corners and was super light up the hills. All my
Sram XO shifting was crisp and spot on. The Avid Ultimates
stoped my when I asked them to. Fox really do make the best forks and no oil leak or any problems during the race, the forks plus the frame really rides as smooth as a
dulie. No blisters on the hands again thanks to
Ozrider foam grips. Stayed dry and comfortable in my 2
XU elite cycle performance range. Next race is this Sunday the 1/2/2009 at Illinbah at the Gold Coast
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Matt smashed up the Croc trophy this year with out even a cramp. Matt spent a lot of time with Gordo at the Croc and he said that them too really rev-ed up each other every morning before the race, Matt someone that if you need a bit of motivation he will fire you up. Matt tagged along with Brand and I helping us on some of the technical places around and at the same time talked to us a lot about riding/life in general, everything from nutrition,sponsorship,tires, bikes, other rides, other riders. We had a little hill climb challenge that got very technical at the top none of us got over the fallen tree the top, Matt and I were able to get out front wheel over but didn't have the momentum to keep it going, Brad kept losing traction about 5-10m before it. We flew down a lot of single track before Matt and I had to leave, Brad stayed around for a bit doing some little stuff hes been working on. Last picture is of Matt's new ride the Scott Scale 20
