Ingerreke Stage Race, day 1

13/5/13

STAGE 1 ALICE

Stage 1 of this year’s Ingerreke stage race was certainly fast and furious!  The unseasonal rain in Alice meant those soft sandy sections had turned more hard-packed and were not so much of a hard slog to ride through.  This didn’t mean the racing was any easier however, just more speedy!

I could only watch on as Jenny Fay and Row powered on up ahead from the get go. I guess the flatter-style terrain, with some punchy climbs, suits the more powerful rider and these 2 girls certainly have got plenty of watts!

The Alice Springs mountain bike club have put together a fine network of single trail. The terrain is so different to anything you get down south. In particular you need to watch out for those small ‘soft-looking’ bushes as they really aren’t so soft!

This stage seemed to be over very quickly, although maybe that’s because I have been competing in some ridiculously long races of late!  I shall have to get my fast twitch fibres in action for the rest of the week!

Rowena Fry ended up taking the win in a sprint finish with Jenny Fay in 2^nd.  I hung onto 3^rd spot, however Terri Rhodes is hot on my heels and it will be some tough racing over the rest of the week!

In the men’s, Andy Blair built a handy lead as he took it to the other guys early.  He now has a 1.5min gap over his teammate Sean Lewis and Ben Mather sits in 3^rd.

Stage 1 started with a few km neutral zone

STAGE 2 ALICE

Stage 2 was the shortest, yet I reckon will rate as one of the most painful!  It involves a hill sprint up Anzac Hill in the centre of Alice Springs.  Most people get up the climb in around 1min.  For those who have raced a 400m running event, the energy zone utilised is quite similar and also the pain levels!  This event calls for great anaerobic power and certainly a tolerance for lactic acid.

Rowena Fry was mighty impressive!  She put many of the guys to shame with her 54second effort.  Equally impressive was Any Blair who rode up in 44 seconds.  I was happy to share 2^nd spot with Jenny Fay at 1min7seconds.

Masters’ power-house and Pedallab rider Kerry Ryan was unlucky to snap his chain just meters from the finish line

putting on my best ‘mean face’ during the hill sprint