The Capilano team of Bruce Snell, Richard and Adam Allen, Nick George, Szeto Leung and David Crosswell, decked out in the striking Capilano Honey jersey, faced a tough 130km race over questionable roads and two ascents of one of the hardest climbs seen in recent Queensland cycling history.
The race was off to a cracking pace, with the field staying together until the climb at 33kms despite constant attacks.
And then, it was unleashed. Now, I enjoy climbing up hills, but, today's climb was a monster. An 1100 metre, 20% gradient climb of Mt Alexander. How hard was it?
- Some riders got off and walked up the hill
- Cars and motorbikes stalled
- One guy on his bike had to do a u-turn and roll down the hill a bit to get some speed up before climbing again
I really should have pre-ridden this hill to understand its intricate beauty and get to know it on more personal terms (and to have fitted the 27 cog).
Anyhow, the race splintered at this stage with groups spread across several kilometres. A small group got away after several kilometres with Data#3's green team well represented. Adam, Richard and Nick rode well to join David in the main group by the halfway point. Some big work by Tinelli and Mainline to bring back the break saw the peloton together again as we approached the second climb of Mt Monster.
With tired legs, the second mount was super mega pain. Unfortunately, I dropped off the lead bunch going over the top. On the way down, I was lucky to pick up Green Team's Stuart Cowin, fresh from an agricultural diversion. Picking off the grass, we valiantly attempted to join back on to the lead group, so excruciatingly close, yet just out of reach. Unfortunately reader, we didn't make the bridge, much to my chagrin.
With the smell of the finish line filling our nostrils, a group containing brothers Richard and Adam Allen caught our small group, with Richard doing well in the consolation sprint.
With the points allocated based on the position of the 3rd rider (correct me if I am in error), it was great work to have the 3 of us cross the line together, not so far behind the leaders.
Nick rolled in after a short while, followed later by Szeto and Bruce. An excellent effort for the entire team to finish when so many riders didn't. Hopefully, this will earn us sufficient points to move up the table.
A few key highlights for me were:
- Our team demonstrating a good performance. We have a couple of young guns, but the majority of the team could well be the father of many of the riders in the field.
- Adam Allen for a great ride, some tremendous improvement.
- The selfless dedication of Chris Doel, Terence Bonner, Candice Allen, Jo George and Heathy for their support of our team today, feeding, watering and caring for us.
- Our cracking Scody kits (performance with comfort) and Capilano Honey Shots (energy).
- And finally, while we're not in the same colours, we're in the same parent team, and it was truly wonderful to see the efforts of the Data#3 Green Team today. I saw superb teamwork, smart riding, and athletic excellence. For those who came in late, the Green Team collected the win (Rueben Donati in a superb performance), the KOM (Ruby - I do hope it is ok to call you this), the sprint jersey (Ruby), the series leader (Ruby), U23 series leader (Ruby), but, most importantly in what is a team series, they are now the leading team. Nice work boys.
As they say in a teenage film about cheerleading: BRING IT ON!!
