Kinda of a scary thought that I will be shipping out of New Zealand for awhile, however it is also incredibly exciting.
In the past couple of weeks my heads been kept low. Training hard and making the most of the superb weather in Auckland. One ride included the usual up and over the Waitaks but with a quick veer right at the top Mike Northey, James McCoy and I shot down to Piha and back up. I was also quickly caught out by the Lone Kauri Loop which included what I believe to be Auckland's longest climb, yet I still enjoyed it. I can not believe I have been missing out on all these little loops in the Waitaks.
February 19th brought on one of the last races PureBlack Racing will do as a team in NZ before we leave the country. The Rev120 had attracted a strong field, but also attracted an enthusiastic team from PBR which included riders from both the Pro squad and National squad.
Roman lead the charge and encouraged the team to push a fast pace up the feared French Pass.
The field was quickly thinned out and left and opportunity for Roman and Scotty to slip up the road.
With 2 of our riders up the road we had the right to sit in the field and save our energy if they where to tire and come back and rejoin the peloton. However both Roman and Scotty stayed away to complete the race in a new course Record.
Within 10km to go Dion Smith, one of the juniors in the squad launched a attack which qucikly scooted up the road. I was able to get across the gap to join Dion, Elliot Crowther and Paul Odlin. Being so close to the finish we all had to work hard to stay away from the chasing bunch behind us. Dion rode himself into the ground and helped set me up perfectly to sprint home for 3rd. Completing PureBlack Racings first clean sweep of the podium.
To closely follow the Rev120 Carl had a 30km in house time trial out around Waitoki for the team. This was to help simulate a tour but also to put all our new team kit through its paces. Full time trial bikes with disc wheels and deep front wheels provided.
Being an in house only competition the stakes were high for bragging rights.
It is a real positive way for all of us to push each other to the limit to help us get the maximum out of ourselves and the team performance wise.
The time trial cause was anything but easy. It had 2 rather nasty climbs false flats and long straight roads.
At the end of the day Shem was fastest followed by Scotty after his big day off the front at the Rev120, then close behind I sneak in for 3rd.
All the training and preparation for the States is coming along nicely. I am itching to race overseas and have been told my first big race for the team is Tour of Gila in New Mexico in April. After a month in Boulder at altitude Tour of Gila just cant come quick enough.
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