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Yesterday was a great day for our Wheeler IXS Team; here at the Nouve Mesto, Czech Republic World Cup, Jolanda took the Under 23 Woman’s victory and I finished 4^th! The course was much the same as last year, some good climbs and technical descents. We were treated to some glorious weather leading up to the race then come race day we woke to cooler temperatures and rain… again. I think I’m getting use to these ‘summer’ conditions. The course held up well though, making the roots slick but everything bar one uphill rock section was rideable.

Off the gun we had a big start loop with plenty of passing room, by the time we entered the single track I was in 5^th position, then coming down the first decent something flicked my seat and sent it up to the sky… making seated riding not really an option until after the Shimano boys could help me in the tech zone on the next lap, at this point I had fallen back to 7^th place.  I fought on, my legs were feeling great so I was able to make up time on the climbs. I had a couple of crashes when I lost my focus, unsuccessfully trying to turn across some roots and then loosing my chain. Mistakes I will try to eliminate next week.

With the podium in sight most of the race I eventually placed 4^th which met the NZ qualification criteria for World Champs this year!  I am happy to be riding in the top 5 again and am looking forward to the next world cup this coming weekend in France to see if I can do one better and get on the podium!

Thanks for everyone’s support!!

The course in Houffalize was something quite different, a combination of steep climbs and descents with false flat rolling sections with a zillion twists and turns, similar to a cycle cross race set up (so I am told). It was definitely a tough course to find a rhythm on and was a reflection of our ever evolving sport.

Preparation was close to perfect, I had a great training camp in Houffalize the week prior, reminding the body how to suffer. Come race day and my legs felt great and my warm up was the best ever. I stated the race off nice, avoiding pileups on the first climb and started making my way through the field. Then when I should have made some more ground I wasn’t aggressive enough and settled in. There was no time for mistakes as new regulations this year have shortened our race once again to a 1 hour target time. How about that! Within an hour the race was over and I had finished 15^th.

It was a great weekend with The WHEELER – IXS Team staying together. Team mate Jolanda rode really finishing 4^th Under 23 and Esther Suess placed 21st in Elite – Congrats!

Next race I will take confidence from my training, stay positive and just focus on how much I can possibly suffer in an hour. Simple.

The aim was to finish the season off here with a goodie but today’s Oceania champs didn’t quite roll that way…
 
Earlier in the week, for Waiariki’s Academy of Sport induction day we went rafting down the Kaitina river. It was heaps of fun and the scariest thing I’ve done in ages! All was well until we capsized off Okeri falls, I was spun out and tore my rib cartilage. Bugger! Thanks to Ant and the physiotherapy team, I had the best possible care leading up to the race. As I focused on trying to heal as fast and prepare the best I could, I found out that rib injuries are a pain in the arse and they don’t heal up over night.
 
With some good pain killers I lined up ready to roll but off the gun I just felt mentally and physically zapped. Bec Henderson (Australia) rode well taking the Under 23 win and I finished second.
 
Now with a small break between seasons I’ve two weeks to heal up before heading to Europe! Plenty if good races and training camps lined up ahead and I really can’t wait to get amongst it

I fly to Switzerland on the 27^th March. It would be great to catch up with everyone before I leave so I’mhaving a fundraiser quiz night on Sunday 25th March at Monteith’s Brewery Bar, Khandallah! Hope you can come along.

Entry is a $10 donation (collected on the night) and it is a five round quiz kicking off at 7:30pm. There will be giveaways, some good old raffles and loads of fun!

After an epic weekend enjoying the Welllington 7s – a must do experience. I retired my Pavlova outfit for my lycra kit and headed over to Wainuiomata for the Wellington Champs. It’s been a few years since I last raced this event run by the PNP Club so it was great to be back again.

The event included Cross-Country, Super D and Short Track races with a combined points system to determine the Winner.  With a good turnout of riders I was happy to win the Woman’s Title and Tom (helmet cracker) Bradshaw won the Men’s.

Devastatingly, one rider suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while out racing today. An upsetting event that will never be forgotten, our thoughts and best wishes go out to all his family and friends – Kia Kaha!