SACA ROAD RACE 3:

Another race, another shot at glory, another chance to borrow a jersey *cough *hint time for 05 jersey *hint *cough.

The “tent” was back this time round. It may be due to the fact that BigSitck was actually in Singapore this time, but that’s really just irrelevant. What mattered was that there was shade from the energy sapping thingy in the sky. The natural evolution of things would be to get a portable generator and fan unit. Then on, we can proceed to the condenser unit!

Background

The Race format was the same as Race 2. Set time + 3laps for all cats, 1.8km circuit. All right turns, only 1 corner to really look out for. (or so it seemed)

Racing was uneventful and got progressively hotter as the cats went by.  

Super Masters Cat

Nigel did well and placed 5^th in the Super-Masters. Hear he’s going to try making it back to SG in time for the ITT. Great job Nigel!

Masters Cat

In the Masters Cat, BigStick was big on the self-sacrificial thing today, first getting himself into a 3 man break which unfortunately, got caught. Then after all that, employing a unique tactic to clear the way for Beef!

To quote Beef (or approximately what he said, my memory is bad. “He said he was going to clear the way for me, but I misunderstood him. Cause he fell down. I swerved around him. He had cleared the way for me.”

Unfortunately, Beef was unable to capitalize on this unique opportunity, as BigStick had failed to brief him on this tactical maneuver beforehand. Oh well, next time perhaps...

Sports Cat

Finally, Sport Cat came around, 55 people. The field was strong today, with a couple of Malaysian single-track riders, some ex-nationals who dropped down to Sport Cat, Andrew Teal and the usual mass sprint buggers. Of course, this little insect was present to fly the flag. With the experience of the last race still fresh in my mind, the aim was to “attack a lot, try to break-away and test my limits”.

What went unsaid was: “Breakaway and win to get a medal!” *snort! Easier said then done.

Starting off

40mins, 3 laps (it was eventually reduced to 30mins for some unknown reason).  Rolling start and for the first lap, I was all the way at the end of the pack.  I didn’t clip in fast enough at the line.After the race, something really hit me. Singaporean riders, ride to the left, regardless of whether the outside of the turn is left or right! I found a couple of gaps on the right side of the peloton and rode myself up to the middle of the pack. This is a useful thing to know, as I used this “express lane” many a time to get back to the front of the pack.

Attempts at glory: Foiled by inexperience: The Rabbit

Saw the fun was beginning to start at the front and I didn’t want to miss out. Attacked on the 3^rd lap but no one followed. Eased off and dropped myself back into the group. A few attacks in the front, but they were quickly caught too. This went on for a couple of laps. With a single-track rider being what Sting once described as a rabbit. The first time he attacked (with another guy in tow), I chased him down.  Hoping we might be able to form a pace line and attempt to break. Once I caught up, he and the other guy eased off and I knew that this wasn’t the real thing. Once or twice it looked like a serious breakaway would form. But somehow, no one likes to work and everyone just sinks back into the peloton.

What was i doing?

All this time, I was watching the ANZA guys, who always have a few strong guys in sport. Only have 1 pair of eyes though, and I can’t recognize everyone. Andrew Teal was one of their strong junior riders, and I was watching for him to make his move. He did eventually make an attack, and I too jumped at the chance to attempt to chase him down. But I think he was doing it more to stop a break from forming rather then going out on his own.

Basically I was friskier then a cat on Prozac during this race. I didn’t want this to be a boring race for me. I know I can’t mass sprint, so if it came down to that, no chance at all.

“Unfortunately”, I have not mastered the art of attacking when the photographers are around/or near the start line. Hence, I remain the insignificant twit that no one will follow when he attempts to break.

MASS SPRINT AGAIN!!

Well, the last 3 laps were upon us before I knew it, and it was time to attempt to break again. Didn’t succeed of course` Hanged on with the pack for the final few minutes and finished in the middle of the pack. My goal for this race partially unfulfilled and both my mouth and mind was fried from the Sun right above us.

No medal for me again.

In retrospect, I should have positioned myself well on the 3^rd last lap, and attack to break on the middle of the 2^nd last lap.

Race Analysis

I analyzed my race and it came down to this.

1)      I’m still not strong enough. I need more training.

2)      I need more experience to get to know who are the guys with the real firepower and want to breakaway. Chasing after everyone who attempts to break isn’t much use.

3)      Singaporeans really like mass sprints.

4)      Since breakaways only get away every 1/50 times or so. I only need 20 more races or so to put the odds in my favor. Yay!

5)      It’s only my 2^nd Race.

6)      We need more t@ people to race sport cat.

7)      But most importantly, the rabid female fan club that Ginger-man promised to help form for me has not yet materialized.

Ginger-man helpfully added that there was nothing really I could have done. The race was too short for a serious breakaway to form. (but he says that at all the races...) 

So I would say, all in all. It was a good race, wasn’t as boring as it could have been. I’m quite glad I didn’t crash and injury myself actually.

This brings me to another related topic about this race.

It wasn’t as boring as it could have been, as there were several riders who couldn’t ride for nuts. These guys I refer too were keeping everyone in the sports pack on a perpetual high with their antics. Yeah, yeah, I know the bit about “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone”.

I’m not the hottest rider in the peloton and I’m pretty sure I made a couple of mistakes in there as well. Nearly everyone does at some point. But some of these guys top the bloody charts! One really noticeable guy was jamming his bloody brakes around every bloody corner! I was behind him for a couple and it was really pissing me off. I wasn’t the only guy being pissed off by him and his compatriots as many a time, near accidents happened cause of him and friends.

Ah well, I wont name the team. It’s not nice’ after knowing that we already top the google search for “damn Anza rider”. I don’t particularly see the need to add another to our top google search list.

The hunt continues!

Well, I’m not giving up so fast. I barely started! I don’t know why I’m so obsessed with getting one. It’s a cheapo plastic medallion with a thick layer of glossy paint over it. Something is wrong with me!

Next race is in June, ITT.  If I train hard enough, maybe ill be able to get a damn medal then. At least there won’t be a mass sprint then.