Tyrone White partnered me on this unique pairs team event - he has excellent skill on the bike - we combined well to come within striking distance of the win on a couple of occasions. But it was not to be.
Days 1,2 and 3 were challenging and fun - a lot of playing catch-up for us, trying desparately to keep our tyres on the fastest sneaks.
Day 4 in the past has been quite a demanding day but this year, it all fell apart for us. We had tripped the route one month prior to the event and had virtually everyting in check but unfortunately, at the race briefing after day 3, the organisers changed the rules.
They took out a technical section by allowing "mcDonald's sneak" and then allowed everyone to do an additional "peleton shortcut" to cut out the previously compulsory "charles camp". Well, this put the nail in our coffin, Nick Floros and Pete Smith rode a good day, not putting a knobbly out of line to come out victorious. We rode into the bush a couple of times in search of the "new route", sorry for U-us !! Don't worry Nick, i think I found a new sneak on our wanderings !! HA HA - watch your wheel next year...
I had forgotten how much fun the Imana Wild Ride actually is - its certainly my favourite stage race. The navigation adds an interesting dimension to everything - you win some, you lose some. The guys that do their homework reap the rewards. Well done Nick - your knowledge can only be rivalled by your google-earth-wielding boss "farmer Glen", congratulations on a good race.
R
