What a Classic

Decided to race the Taupo Classic this year, so was uber nervous at the start line at 6:45am, lining up next to the likes of Gordon Macauley, Sam Bewley and Peter Lathem can make you feel pretty weak, but luckily I was feeling pretty strong, had a great bike and some nice Aero Wheels so didn't feel out of place.

The race started and got up to speed very quickly, the top guys know how to pour on the pace and right from the get go it was hammer down. But i was surprised at my uphill speed and was comfortable on all of the climbs and pinch climbs, possible where I lack is speed on the flat and positioning in the bunch as a couple of times I drifted too far to the back of the bunch.

We go to Kuratau before I knew it and the bunch concertinaed and I ended up with my chain crossed up and when I dropped from big chain ring it popped off , I put it back into high but it wouldnt bite back on so had to stop.. DAMMMM.. I got off and tried to put back on but was in a bit of a panic as the bunch was passing me, luckily one of the guys in a wheel wagan ran over and stuck it back on and I was off again, the bunch had about a 100m gap at this stage.


I had 2 options, wait for the chasing bunch which was nowhere in sight or put on the sprint legs, deciding I didnt like option 1 I put on the hill sprint legs and took off, it felt like 15 minutes of uphill sprinting and my heart felt like it was going to explode, but after a while I recaught the bunch just before the summit, but by this time I was cramping badly from my crazed sprint and was just managing to hold on so crusied mid pack hoping my legs would come back which they did by about 10 kms from Hatepe, Up Hatepe I darent get out of the seat as I knew bad things would happen so climbed seated and was towards the back of the bunch by the top and just like last year I forgot how quickly the bunch gets away at the top of Hatepe, so I sprinted again and just managed to tag onto the back again, but by this time I had spent all of my coins on my hill sprint up Kuratau and just couldnt hold the pace so slowly started to drift back off the pack. Luckily it was all pretty much downhill from there and by looking at my speedo I was on for a sub 4 so not all was lost. I kept a good TT pace going too the finish and ended up 3 minutes behind the bunch and about 9 minutes behind Peter Latham and the other winners and was absolutley shagged. Felt pretty emotional at the end and had a couple of tears in my eyes when I saw my wife at the finish line and that hasnt happened since Mrs Mangle died in Neighbours back in the 1980's (shes was always misunderstood).

So all up very pleased, official time was 3:52:55

BIG thanks to Joel Healy for doing my training plans this year he has helped me a lot with his insight and experience (and the loan of his aero wheels :) ).

Will have another crack next year, but need to do some longer 4+ hour rides beforehand. AND buy some Zipp 404's :)