SA Marathon champs

So i have to say better late than never...
It's been a week since SA Marathon champs and I've recovered nicely after a seriously tough but awesome race in the Inanda valley.

The build up to race day was not the best i've had but it was going to have to do as i had a goal in mind and that was to get on the podium in the Sub Vet Category.
Race day was here and i had work to do as well as race...we were launching the Bryton GPS unit at the race. We had Gazebo's set up and we had Bryton babes who's job it was to select ten riders out the masses to race with the GPS on their bikes. They set up the units on the riders bike and set then off, then on their return collected valuable feed back on the GPS. All which was a very successful exercise.

Then it was time to race, the elite's went off followed 5 mins later by the ladies and a further 5mins back was us Sub Vets. The race started off up a small gradual climb which stretched out the field slightly. There were around 5 of us setting the pace for the field and 5km in the 5 of us rode away from the rest of the pack.
My legs were feeling really good and decided to set the pace up the first few climbs of the day. Then there was an attack from Gedden Ruddick up the one climb, he opened a gap which he would manage to hold to the finish. The next to get away was Hennie Kriek and Hendrik Bester, they opened a gap on myself and Sean Merridew. I didn't chase too hard as i knew the finish line was still a long way away and there was a lot of single track to come. Then we were caught by Brett Dickson who caught us as we were negotiating our way up a slight rock face, Sean managed to get away with Brett and left me behind. I again just held my cool and kept a steady tempo.
Once we hit the long sections of single track i knew this would be were i would reel them in, first i caught Sean and Hennie who were not able to stick with me. Then i closed down on Hendrik and passed him up a short steep climb. It was now onto Brett Dickson who i chased really hard and caught just before the final water table. We stopped at the water table together and then it was a race to the finish, we rode the last long district road together and then hit the final section of single track. Unfortunately for me we caught an Elite rider just before the single track and he managed to get in between us and ended holding me up while Brett rode away. Once i past the elite rider and started chasing it was just to late, i would have to settle for 3rd in a time of 4h6m02s.

I was extremely happy with my 3rd place on the podium at SA Marathon champs, as i had fulfilled my first goal for 2011.