Alice Day 2

Dan and Jayden (junior Bell'ie) on the regular commute to the race start

Day 2 started with a pleasant rollout under police escort through town for 5km, it gave the legs a good chance to warm up slightly before the hammer was put down!

Today was considerably shorter in distance, 39km, and the quality of the single track was optimum, not as rough as yesterdays stage. I felt I had recovered well from yesterdays race and the legs felt a lot more supple and free. I was feeling more comfortable at intensity but still felt I was not able to sustain it. The first sections of the course went through some deep sandy fire roads, where everyone was trying to get a sit and ride as a group but the sand bought many people undone, crashing, loosing their line, and coming to complete standstills.

My strategy was to stay relaxed, not fight it, so I just drop the speed a little and focused on spinning through till it firmed up. It probably was a bit slower but didn’t unnecessarily expend energy. I ended up riding with Jess though the first sections of single track, but yet again my legs felt drained of all power any time the terrain angled upwards, Jess ended up riding away from me leaving me to ride my own race.

The finish line, taking in the glory lap of the velodrome!

An hour and a half later I rolled into the finish line which was quite exciting as we entered the velodrome and cut a lap to cross the finish line. So I came in 3^rd again today loosing another 4 minutes or so to Jess, so now I sit 9 minutes back from Jess and about 10 from Anna. It was time to head home and get some quality recovery in before the afternoons’ hill climb stage!

The hill climb was exciting! it was a great vibe with lots of locals out lining the climb to cheer all the riders on. It was a 300m length which consisted of a steep and nasty climb to the finish line at the top. Previous records were held by Jodie Willett with 58 seconds and Ben Mather with 42 Seconds. Tough times to beat!

The Caravan Park Crew hanging out on ANZAC hill.

The format was great, starting with the slowest time and finishing with the leaders of the elite men, so it was interesting to watch the riders coming up and the times getting quicker and quicker. I think I was more excited about spectating during this stage rather than racing, my time was slow, 1.22 reflecting how sluggish my legs had been feeling he last two days in the surrounding hills. Anne rode a cracking time of 1.07 but was just hedged out of the stage win by Anna Beck’s 1.04.

Bellie smashing his way to the top!