Post by riderdown on Aug 8, 2011 21:00:12 GMT 10
Well it was my first race since becoming President and the weight of expectation was heavy upon my shoulders. There was a nice crowd gathered, not huge but that meant that we all got to know each other a little which made for a nice atmosphere. Some of our Scott Team had come along with Luke Harden running the show and Jake Marland was looking to stretch his legs in preparation. The conditions were perfect. The tracks moist but not wet so grip was awesome, the track work had been done so everything was in place for a Presidential performance.
Knowing that everyone was looking to me for inspiration I had to step up, make a statesman like statement so when asked what category I was racing I nominated “A” grade. After my last start 2nd place in “D” grade I felt it was time to mix it with the little boys.
I got myself ready and called my major sponsor Duncan Miller of DIYMTB, www.diymtb.com.au, to let him know that I was racing with the whippets. I had to leave a message which turned out to work against me.
I got a flying start as I pre-anticipated the starter and was looking good for the first 20meters or so at which point I decided to go back to my proven race plan of plodding along. After about 400meters the phone rings, I have to check it as my wife is home with kids unwell but it’s not her it’s Mr. Miller. I figure it can wait so repack the phone and head off again. My pace was looking good and I was quietly confident of a second place in “A” grade and was wondering how many points I was going to collect today.
As I cruised through the Butterfly section of the course my minor sponsor, Dave Tuckerman from “The Bike Shack”, came past me. Poor bloke rode single speed so couldn’t slow down. Dave gave me a great deal on my saddle but I think I heard him mutter as he went past “can’t even see the saddle”. I figured Dave to be also riding A grade and whilst riding at such a pace will never be able to enjoy the fine scenery in the forest and will never look good in jeans.
Everything was going great as I came back in to the Superbowl section. The Goon Mobile was humming along with the XFusion suspension working hard, as usual, but faultlessly and the Hygia Elite Brakes controlled the massive momentum that a rider of my stature can produce effortlessly. A grade 2nd place was looking good. It was at this point that I became aware of the threat that I was becoming to the wee ones. My phone rings again, sick kids must check, Miller again, ignore. Text message comes through, Miller again! It’s at this point I realize that whilst my major sponsor wants results he doesn’t want them in his category. I had become a treat to his A grade title challenge and the phone calls were knobbling. I gritted my teeth and plodded on to a what I hope was a fine second place “A” Grade.
I now await the results to see just how many chose to be A graders, I’m hoping 2.
Cheers
Matt
"A" Grader ;D
Knowing that everyone was looking to me for inspiration I had to step up, make a statesman like statement so when asked what category I was racing I nominated “A” grade. After my last start 2nd place in “D” grade I felt it was time to mix it with the little boys.
I got myself ready and called my major sponsor Duncan Miller of DIYMTB, www.diymtb.com.au, to let him know that I was racing with the whippets. I had to leave a message which turned out to work against me.
I got a flying start as I pre-anticipated the starter and was looking good for the first 20meters or so at which point I decided to go back to my proven race plan of plodding along. After about 400meters the phone rings, I have to check it as my wife is home with kids unwell but it’s not her it’s Mr. Miller. I figure it can wait so repack the phone and head off again. My pace was looking good and I was quietly confident of a second place in “A” grade and was wondering how many points I was going to collect today.
As I cruised through the Butterfly section of the course my minor sponsor, Dave Tuckerman from “The Bike Shack”, came past me. Poor bloke rode single speed so couldn’t slow down. Dave gave me a great deal on my saddle but I think I heard him mutter as he went past “can’t even see the saddle”. I figured Dave to be also riding A grade and whilst riding at such a pace will never be able to enjoy the fine scenery in the forest and will never look good in jeans.
Everything was going great as I came back in to the Superbowl section. The Goon Mobile was humming along with the XFusion suspension working hard, as usual, but faultlessly and the Hygia Elite Brakes controlled the massive momentum that a rider of my stature can produce effortlessly. A grade 2nd place was looking good. It was at this point that I became aware of the threat that I was becoming to the wee ones. My phone rings again, sick kids must check, Miller again, ignore. Text message comes through, Miller again! It’s at this point I realize that whilst my major sponsor wants results he doesn’t want them in his category. I had become a treat to his A grade title challenge and the phone calls were knobbling. I gritted my teeth and plodded on to a what I hope was a fine second place “A” Grade.
I now await the results to see just how many chose to be A graders, I’m hoping 2.
Cheers
Matt
"A" Grader ;D
