U17 XCO Race

Friday I took place in the U17 XCO race, the biggest field of all the races on Friday with about 30 riders taking place. Didn't Start well, probably my worst start of any race this year so for the first section of single track I stayed in about 12Th lucky that didn't last long as I found some room to pass. After the first 500m of single track 1km of up hill fire road sorted everyone out, I lock the forks and pushed on hard up into the lead. Then we entered 'blue gums' a quick twisty single track section before the main world cup technical climb known as 'Cardiac Climb' the plain was to be in front here and I'm lucky I was, as I had room to maneuver about a 20m gap till second place. I pushed hard up the climb and around the corners over the rocks till the top for about 1 or 2km. Next was the main technical down hill section 'Hammer Head' Since the most grounded point with spectators I thought I would hit the A'line to give them something to cheer about, rode it well and they cheers. Rode about ten meters than crash badly on easy section silly mistake I didn't concentrate for 5sec and payed bad. Crash into a thorn bush and struggled to get out, by the time I did I dropped back into 4th. Got back onto the bike and rode hard to catch back up. I pulled in 3rd by the end of the first lap and had only one more lap to get back into the lead. By the end of the climbing on the second lap, second position was in my sight and I was only 15m away. I rode fast into corners and had some very sketchy moments. Almost to the end and I was sitting on the wheel of second getting ready for a sprint finish then.... POP! flat tire with 400m to go still trying to stay in 3rd but 4th was closing fast and riding with a flat doesn't make you go faster. Went around the last corner and 4th was right behind me I tried to go with him buy the wheel was gone and I finished 4th.