UNICC

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The weekend saw strong uni numbers race in the Metro Crit and Road Races.

There were a number of outstanding performances with Jamie Stanley's Elite B Road Race (and lucky door raffle) win being a highlight!  Jamie attacked going into the last lap of 4, then held off the chasing pack over the gruelling 23km circuit.

Other Uni riders in the Results:

Martin Millard 2nd Masters C

Hadleigh Milligan 4th Elite B RR

Truck (Andrew Kelk) 5th Masters A Crit

Grant Cracknell 5th Masters B RR

Kristian Juel Top 10 Elite A

Congratulations to all who rode, conditions were trying both days!

State Crit Champs at Nundah.

Masters 3 looked like UNICC would have a pretty strong contingent until Paolo bailed, and we learnt that Crackers was no longer part of the club. From 7, to 5 riders. Still, a very strong group in Spartacus, Drago, Lambie, Truck and Mascott.  Out of a field of 53, HPRW had 10, Ffast had 9, and we still had a good chance if we worked to a plan.  And so it was that, with Lambie, Drago and Spart being the guys who tend to find themselves in breakaways, they would attack as much as they could, whilst Truck and Mascott sat back and waited for the sprint. If the bunch was together with 3 to go, we would find one another and begin the leadout with 2 to go. Stay on the inside, force teams around us……..etc etc.  Spartacus, Drago and Lambie did many well timed attacks which the other riders really had to work to reel them back in. Just fantastic work. All 3 guys got away in pairs several times only to be brought back.

With 3 laps to go Drago and Lamie attacked again which had the bunch drag them back with 2 laps to go.  Mascott was following Truck through the field at this stage and with 1 to go Truck was out in front. This was probably a tad early but he kept a nice pace along the back before giving a good kick going into the last corner hammering up the inside. Mascott was tucked in and feeling comfortable readying himself for the sprint. At the 200, another rider began coming up my inside and this was when Truck veered right so Mascott could kick. Mascott could hear the other riders already beginning their run on the outside with the sound of whooshing rubber and gear changes. Mascott was in front and winding up. A rider on his far left passes by a bike length at the 100, Mascott should actually sprint, like REALLY KICK and sprint rather than pursuit……Kick he does and makes a quick gain to the line, only to lose by less than half a wheel.

Uni did a great job in providing Mascott with a fantastic lead out and Mascott did well to stay out of trouble, allow others to bring in breaks and felt really good.  Spartacus, Lambie, Drago and Truck, thankyou for taking on those roles and doing a superb job in executing them. Mascott knows you guys hurt yourselves putting in the efforts. Thankyou.

Mascott is extremely annoyed with Silver…..again.  Mascott needs to trust that his cranks and chain wont break if he just kicks the hell out of it in the final 200.

On another note, Mascott stayed and watched Masters 2 and the Open Elite race [see report below].  Good work Karl Manning [in Masters 2]……that was a classy field and some good breaks to reel in.  Open Elite had a number of Uni riders; Paul Gleeson, Dan Felton, PG, Frendo.  Frendo raced very smart never chasing a beak and he had himself in a good spot for a place if not for the last lap crash.  PG……..Rocky IV, Milan San Remo, Gladiator, then another Rocky IV. This is PG’s secret to increasing testosterone and going absolutely ballistic more times than anyone else. Chasing, or making the bunch chase….PG did it. Constantly. Most aggressive ride by far. Well done PG.  On the last lap, a number of riders ended up coming down and off into the grass, PG and Dan included. PG was ok, not sure about Dean. Hope you guys are ok.

Mascott

State Criterium championships 2010

Yesterday was one of those days when I was reminded why I love this sport so much. My race wasn’t til 3:30pm, so I had a full day to do normal person weekend stuff. And by about 1:30pm I was thinking “I am really not feeling much like racing this arv”. Maybe it was the sombre weather, maybe it was some residual feeling from watching Geelong smash the lions at the Gabba the night before, maybe it was some apprehension about how hard the race might be, maybe it was the voice in my head saying “you’re getting married in less than a week, there are probably a few other things you need to do”. So I thought, I’ll ring my friend Spartacus, as he is the most emotional rider I know – he will tell me what to do. He was pumped from his race in masters 3, and told me how strong the uqcc riders were, and of Mascott bagging the silver (in first person). His words were passionate, culminating with “this is what you train for! Now get those F%^King boras on your bike and get down there!”.

So that’s what I did. And as soon as I rolled down the street I started to feel different. By the time to got to Nundah I was flying, mood completely transformed. Warmed up a bit more with felto, signed on, and then into it. pace was on from the gun, with a big field and absolutely no wind it was always going to be quick. the speed stayed so consistently high, the overall av was 47, max 57. it was impossible for anyone to get a break to work, despite plenty of attempts. I watched some of the strongest guys have a go and get nowhere, so I reigned in my considerable exuberance and decided to save it for the last lap. Inspired by the lesson in crit racing that fluff had given me the day before. Gradually the 60mins ticked by, and I was having a great time cruising up and down in the pack, soaking it all in, thinking I’m glad I didn’t stay home to do the chores.

3 laps to go, feeling great, moved onto the wheel I wanted. Had some work to do to keep it, as a few others had the same idea. 2 to go, bunch really boiling now, I am thinking – this is not fast enough, everyone is still here and too hyped up. We were missing a really dominant team to string us all out for the finish. Bell starts ringing, I’m on the inside line & still have the wheel I want, people are chopping everywhere, a big bunch of guys start to move up on the left. Way too many people here I think. Then all hell breaks loose – unmistakable sound of carbon hitting bitumen, bikes flying through the air. All I can think of is the promise that I made about not crashing.. 6 days out from the wedding – “there are never any crashes in A grade at Nundah babe, I’ll be fine – 100%”. I brake , dodge a couple of bodies and I’m through, man I hope Dan, Frendo, PG aren’t in there. But the front guys & the wheel I want is long gone, and I solo to the finish. No medals for 19th place apparently.

Once ASDA chose their random test samples we were released, and went to check on the casualties. some pretty bad injuries including a collar bone, a wrist, a fractured vertebrae, fortunately none from uqcc. But everyone is conscious and even able to crack a few jokes, and ambulances were quick to arrive.

Thanks heaps to Magoo yet again for a full day of commisaire-ing, making racing possible for all of us. And thanks to all the club members who came out to support, whether racing themselves or not, it made for a great vibe out there.

I went home feeling so alive, and ready for beer & pizza. From a flat day to an epic one, care of a bicycle and a few friends.

Paul Gleeson

Last Saturday saw the 6th installment of the UniCC World Cup series; Paris-Tours.  Competition across all grades was fierce!  See the Results page for the run down.