So its been a while since a good update. Been flat out lately travelling around the South Island racing our national series. We had a good mix of courses this year and weather for the most part was awesome. After being rainded out in Rotorua I was keen to head to Nelson to see how my form was against the rest of the Kiwi pinners. First round being kaka, a pretty gnarly course and some of the hottest conditions Ive seen for a while. A dusty blown out race track and after seeding 6th I knew the type of run I would need to trow down to win. Race run was definatly a little on the edge but I had the speed and pulled off the win over Cameron Cole. A good start and confidence going into the second race to be held once again in Nelson the following weekend.
Photo Jono Baddiley
Second Race in Nelson we were once again in the presence of awesome weather. After a week of Moto and some XC was feeling ready to get back on the DH bike. Back on Fringe hill, the longest downhill in the series and always a good time. Dust bowl again and arm pump 4 mins into the 5 min course. This time I found my speed in seeding and took top seed. Going into race run was just a push of the repeat button and a clean run just let me take it out agin over Brook MacDonald.
Thanks to Jono Baddiley and cut and paste spokemagaine.com.
After podium I was on a mission, had to drive 4 and half hours to Christchurch and then onward to Wanaka the next morning. Fox test session for 4 days to dial in the 2011 suspension. Long days testing and energy levels getting low headed back to Christchurch for the Final of the NZ Cup and on freshly built living springs course. Rocky and lose at the top and offcamber grass to high speed finish. Awesome track and hard to ride fast. I exploded my rear wheel in seeding with a little too much speed into a bridge to rock garden. To my susprise I walked away after flipping myself over the bars through the rocks and rushed to get back to the bottom to fix my bike in time for race runs. Sore and a bit over it I managed to regather and finish with an average but clean run and 3rd place. Just lucky to be healthy this week.
Back home to Dunedin and then the earthquake hit Christchurch, Scary times and my heart goes out to anyone affected. The Downhill track we raced just two days before now gone completly. Scary Scary stuff. When I got news of the quake I was filming in Dunedin with some friends from Christchurch. Plans changed and our film shoot was over for them to get back and help their families.
Dunedin was the National Champs for 2011, a course well known for techincal and wet conditons. Both of these factors in full force this year on what would have to be said the most gnarly course this year. It was apprent from first run down the hill it was going to be hard race. Gee Atherton was over to compete and I knew he would be pushing us kiwis to preform. Cameron Cole showed the power in seeding and posted fastest time.Gee then myself in 3rd. Going up for Finals I knew what needed to be done but wasnt prepared to do it. I didnt want to take the risk of an everything or nothing run. 4th was my outcome but a clean and safe run. Cameron smashed it and George brannigan 2nd.
Photo James Allan.
The Next day I boarded a flight for Europe. This was what I was saving myself for, the first Trek World Racing team testing session in Spain. I got off some crazy long flights to meet my old and new team mates and this years crew. Trek race team department and engineers were there as well as Fox to dial in our suspension. After a good nights rest I woke still feeling jet lagged but ready to kit up in our new Royal gear and get on the new rig. Unfortunitly it was not to be my week. Two warm up runs on a short course we desided to check out a longer track and while on a so called scout run got myself is some trouble. Gwin was leading and rode over what looked like a roller. All I herd was him yell about a hole and barly make it over himself. I hit the brakes a small amount but the next moment Im trying to jump off my bike. I managed to smash my quad pretty hard into the well and the next thing I know I was so swolen I couldnt walk. Nothing broken but such a hit to my quad I couldnt bend my leg for a week. Pretty much the most frustrating time, sitting watching my team mates burn their equipment in. Still the rest was needed after being so busy lately and Im lucky to have been through the setup in New Zealand just a few weeks before.
After healing up I managed to get a solid week of training in at Martins house in Granada with my team mate Neko, and now its time to board another hand full of flights to head to Australia. Ups and downs but its all part of the package.
