Bendigo Vic State Race

The first round of the Victorian state XC series was held at Bendigo. And it was wet, “the most miserable conditions for a mountain bike race in Bendigo ever”, according to the organisers.

But we didn’t need the organisers to tell us it was miserable conditions, we just needed to get out of our cars. We started our practice lap in dry but muddy conditions but soon were getting bucketed on with rain. “This must be the random flash flooding they mentioned on the internet forecast”, I thought to myself as I struggled to see through my glasses for the mud and slipped my way around the course.

We managed to get back to the car after that practice lap, grabbed some extra layers of wet weather gear, and shivered around waiting for the start of the race. “We could always take our race numbers off and go home.” I said. But Niki wasn’t having any of it, “nah Jimi, this is fun!” While I didn’t agree, I appreciated her enthusiasm.

We lined up on the start line and I decided that I’d go as hard as I could and if that meant I ‘blew up’, I’d pull out of the race. I certainly didn’t want to be dawdling around in these conditions, I had to be amongst the race to finish.

So we sped off in the direction of the puddles and soon a bunch of five of us had gained a lead margin on the rest. We rode together for about a lap and a half until the three front guys – Adrian Jackson (Merida) Murray Spink (Giant) and Scott Liston (Felt) – forced a gap on the main climb. Neil van der Ploeg (Felt) and I worked together to bring them back and half way through the 3rd lap we did. At the half way point we were still basically together give or take a few seconds but then Scott attacked and AJ followed, and then attacked harder to ride away from the rest of us.

Scott was feeling the effort of his attack and drifted back to Neil and myself with Murray a bit further up the course. We stayed like this – Neil and I together and Murray a bit ahead – until the final lap where Neil made a break on me which I was able to close, but then forced another break which I had no response to.

In the end I finished 4th, with Neil 3rd, Murray 2nd and AJ a fair way ahead in 1st. It was a crazy race given the conditions but, despite my pre-race apathy, a really fun day. The trails at Bendigo really are a treat to ride, no matter the conditions.

Thanks to Giant for my awesome bike that still managed to perform like a dream despite the elements being against it. Thanks also to Adidas eyewear, JetBlack products, CrankBrothers, Ritchey, Squirt Lube and PowerBar.  Thanks also to Stephen Rowe for the pics.