In memory of one of the great mountain bikers James Williamson the 3rd ‘Willo’ MTB race was held last weekend.

I have always wanted to ride this event, as it is for a great cause and in memory of a great rider, but have never managed to make it due to other commitments bad weather etc.

Well last weekend, was probably the most perfect conditions you could have for a mtb race, awesome trails, perfect weather (low to mid 20’s) and great atmosphere. As a result the competitors arrived and basically the who’s who of MTB’g was represented. Taberlay, Lewis, Blair, Cooper, Gordon, Tupalski, Shippard, Johnson, Fleming and basically the top 20 of MTB elite were present. The Masters and Super Masters we equally represented with some of the best riders on the east coast. This set the scene for what was going to be a great race.

With wave starts organised by category, I was in the 2nd wave (Masters 75km). All the usual Masters suspects were on the start line in my category Minter, McAvoy, Morgan in a couple of others. After some pre race banter and catchup with Craig (Fatboy) we were ready to race.

The opens and U23 took of first with a cracking pace up the 500m rocky start hill. The 2nd wave start wasn’t quite as hectic, but still fast nevertheless. By the top of the first hill the first selection was made and I was in the group of 5 lead riders. After some fast fire road, the first bit of single track approached, and already we had caught the tail end of the 1st wave starters. I knew I would be fast through the ST, so I made my move to enter the ST leading the group of 5. I wanted to control my own destiny, and make sure I dictated priority in overtaking the back markers. The strategy work and we were all rolling fast through the ST. Then bang / crash someone behind me had clipped a tree and crashed. My strategy was working already. I kept leading out of the ST and onto the next stage the KOM. I was keen to hit this climb hard and put a lot of effort to get over the KOM first. I achieved this but was redlining already and I was only 6km into the first lap. As I backed off, Minter, Morgan and another 2 riders sensed this and were off, I had nothing to hold on.

I settled myself back down into a more sustainable pace, and gradually gained back some time lost. I completed the first lap in 1:08, which I was surprised and happy with. I knew the other riders couldn’t be too far ahead. The next lap was uneventful, and I found myself catching more and more of the first wave riders, and then some of the master leaders ahead. Wingello ST was awesome and I found my self really enjoying the single track and getting more into the groove. The specialized epic was awesome for this course – smooth through the ST and great on the climbs. With a second lap of 1:09, I was still feeling strong and knew I was only a little over an hour away from the finish.
At this point I figured I was possibly in 3rd or 4th place. The one worry I had was that I had not seen Jason McAvoy since the start. I knew he wasn’t ahead, but he wouldn’t be far behind me. As a 24 hr racer I knew he would finish strong. Well, around half way through the last lap, my worries came to fruition when Jason rode up alongside me. I now knew I was in a race, and it looked like if I wouldn’t to get 3rd place, I would have to cross the line in front of Jason.

For the next 30mins every climb every turn we were matching each’s others every move. I was feeling strong, but didn’t feel confident in making a break so far out and then busting before the finish. Anyway we tic tac’d and pushed each other trying to make the other falter all the way to the last 1km of the course, where we hit the final fire road before the turn to the finish. As we hit the fire road, Jason road up beside me and said ‘lets dance’ and I knew we were going to be in for a sprint finish for 3rd.

I am not sure about the rest of you, but I was in unknown territory, after racing 75km (mini marathon) a sprint finish is not what you expect to finish the race. I lead out fast into the last turn, could see the finish line and thought I had enough to hit the line first. Jason came out from the side and with a final push got me by a wheel. I was shattered – all this effort coming down to 4th place.

After collecting my thoughts, it was still an awesome day out. Talking to Ant who has been offering plenty of advice and support leading into the race, I had realised that I had come a long way from not just riding these events, but now ‘racing’ these events. It is a great stepping stone to next weekend’s Capital Punishment.

Thankyou Ant for all the support and great advice in getting me to this point. I know I am the strongest and fastest I have ever been on the bike with your involvement. Also thanks to Taz (my wife) who has put up with and supported all the additional hours of training (thanks to Ant) that is part of this journey.

It was definitely a great day out, with great support from the entire MTB community.

See you next week, at the CP.