C grade Race report - Pukehamoamoa School to Otamauri and return
25/02/2006

I lined up for this race quite nervous despite having quite an advantage wearing the yellow jersey. It seemed the cream of C grade had turned up for the final race of the Summer series. I knew what I had to do to win the series - I had to beat that sneaky tandem which was only one point behind. Firstly, I had to nullify the tandems usual tactic of tearing off to get a head start on the hills. So as soon as the starter said go, I tore off like a bull out of a gate. Unfortunately my legs turned to jelly, despite being a seasoned athlete, and my heart rate went up. By the time I’d calmed myself down, the bunch had caught me. So, I settled in, keeping an eye out for the tandem’s break.....

When it came, I jumped on their wheel with everyone else and tore past them up the hill. I soon got tired and started working with a lead bunch. After the second hill, the bunch had split into a group of eight or so which included Tony Hooper (the hardest worker in C grade), Paul Roberts, Derek Ward, Andrew Bryant (riding up from D grade), Rob Oliver, Hamish Goodwin and a couple of others I didn’t recognise. In fact, I didn’t really recognise Rob until he had done a few turns at the front, bouncing up on his pedals like a spring chicken. I was thinking spring chickens? How many spring chickens do we have in C grade? Especially this one that was starting to tear my legs off, bounce bounce bounce, pant pant pant.... slow down young fella!! At this point, Rob turned around, “Oh hi Rob”, I squeezed out as I start to pant and wheeze as he picked up the tempo even further!

The bunch stayed together right up to the turn around point. Coming back we all groaned as the tandem was not really that far back.... ARRRRGH. Panic stations! Attack after attack and the bunch started to splinter. Two riders go off the front... I’m not really too concerned as I don’t recognise them. But, along with Tony Hooper, Paul Roberts, Hamish Goodwin and Rob "spring chicken" Oliver, we proceeded to work together to pull them back in. Finally, on the last hill leading to the finish with Tony leading up it, Rob yells, "break get moving!" Not even looking behind to see whether Rob sees his redemption in pushing the two slightly younger spring chickens in front of him to drag him to the finish line or whether there actually is a gap, Tony and I start piling on the pace with Rob pulling his weight also. A good gap was established with Tony and myself wheezing like pregnant horses when Rob took off in a sprint. Hmm, where's he going? Tony and I think to ourselves..... only to find Rob "spring weasel" Oliver has just weaseled the win without us even realising it!

However, if ever there was a more deserving weasel, I have yet to come across one! Outwitted, out raced and feeling rather silly, Rob reminds me, "Hey Doug, you won the series!" After today’s race on a course that kept everyone honest and amongst a quality C grade field, that is something I’m rather proud of!

Doug McIntosh
26 February 2006