The pace was hard from the gun with Seán pulling away from us all at the start on the the fire-road, I managed to get into the single track a little behind Seán and we worked together until the second steep fire road where the eventual winner passed us both out and we had to chase hard to stay with him. Then it was back to the single track, I was leading Seán here and we were both trying hard to keep first place in our sights until a gust of wind caught me on a slippy rock and I went down hard on my hip but I got back up and pushed even harder to make up the ground I had lost after my fall. The track was running a river and then just to spite us it started raining which really made it tough going along the exposed open mountain trails.
Luckily after a short while the rain stopped but the trails were still one endless river. Then we came to the boardwalks, which can only be described as lethal...actually you would need to ride them to know how slippy they were (Niall had warned us about them before the start of the race). It wasn't even funny how slow and cautious we went over them, on the plus it was a good time to get your breath back. The trail has obviously taken a beating from the elements because it was a rough track with very little flow. On the next fire road Seán belted off trying to gain back some time. On the next bit of trail I was caught up by two lads on full suspension bikes who were able to go a little faster on the rough stuff as the suspension soaked up the bumps. Then we caught back up to Seán who had fallen for the second time on the board walk of death. I passed him and shortly after I fell again, this time off the boards onto my already sore hip and the two lads who were behind me passed me. As I got back on the bike Seán caught me and again we worked together, further on the trail we passed third place who had got a puncture, and then Seán fell again. At this stage I was soaked through to the bone and my leg was beginning to hurt and I could barely hold onto the bars so when Seán put the hammer down again on the last fire-road I had no response. I was suffering too much to finish a second lap so at the end of the lap with no feeling in my hands or feet I retired. A disappointing day, but that's racing. Well done to Seán who finished 4th and to Paddy who finished 7th.
My new Scott Scale got its maiden voyage and I am very impressed with its handling and all out racing stance. Really looking forward to a great year of XC racing on it. My next outing will be Ballyhoura as I will be in Italy for the Dublin blitz.
