SGW 100 (18th April)

Having had the recent success in Queenstown I was hoping for a reasonable result in the SGW 100km race.  The course was slightly different this year with the use of Dominion road instead of the Moutere hill.  Not that it made much difference as there was (as usual) an early attack.  We regrouped at Edwards road but the attacks were to continue thoughout the rest of the race.  I got away with Felix at one point and for about 10km before we were caught.  The decisive attack came just after Tapawera with Dean, Jono and Kieran getting away.  It was won of those attacks that just seemed to roll off.  While we still had Felix, Caleb and Chris N with us along with some others they seemed unwilling or unable to chase.  This pretty much left it to Chris N and myself to try and bring it all back.  Soon Chris and I were by ourselves but were closing in.  The others had reached were now partway up the Spooners climb when Chris and I got to the bottom.  Chris suggested that I wait for him at the top.  We caught Kieran and Jono before the summit so only had Dean left to bring back.  The 3 of us worked along the flat and caught up with Dean just after the old Wai-iti church.  He had caught up with a group of B grade riders.  It now became a game of positioning as we got close to the finish - something I'm never very good at.  In the end Jono broke first.  I was boxed in by some of the B graders  so couldn't react but eventually managed to get out and almost caught Dean on the line.  I placed 4th which was ok but really I was hoping for a slightly better result.