I lined up in the C race with Greg, Ron, Steve, Jeremy and Roland, and over 120 other racers. The field was huge and the start was very crowded. Without a call up, I sat about 1/4 back in the field. Right off the start, barely 50 meters into the race in the straight section was the first wreck, I managed to get around it, but there were quite a few people tangled up in it. Then on one of the tight twists around the trees, another racer went down and several others as well. It was tough trying to move up and navigate the course while the entire field was still so bunched up.
It didn't take long, by the end of the first lap, things were strung out and I could start passing people in small groups on the straight sections. My bike handling was greatly improved since last year, I could turn faster, get quicker lines, and the difference over the barriers was like night and day.
Another lap and I got to the front of the main field, in front of me was a large gap and maybe a dozen or so riders off in the distance. I could see Greg sitting in third wheel, he looked like he was riding very well. With a clean line through the course, I could make good time and managed to catch up with the leaders, the continual cheers from the squad certainly helped, I think I heard David 4-5 times each lap! One by one I moved up until I was in 6th place. I had a difficult time getting past the next rider, I'd get a clear shot through a turn, but he'd match my acceleration, and I wasn't able to get past cleanly. Finally we came to the barriers and I got past him with some good foot speed and a fast clip in. The little details really make a difference here. By then I had less then 1/2 a lap to try and catch the next guy. I came around the rocks at the end and felt like I had a lot of sprint left, I opened up and came within a second of passing him, but I'm happy with 5th place.
Greg had an excellent race and finished strong with 2nd place.
Thanks to Danica and David for the photos.
Let's do it again tomorrow.
Marten
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