A quick update from Perth where the team and I are on a winter training camp. The intention was a chance to get of Adelaide and experience some better weather but as it turns out we have come to Perth and its wet and rainy, whilst Adelaide is having a bout of nice weather! Typical!
On the weekend we raced the annual Perth International Grand Prix, where we raced in the usual events of Sprint, Keirin and Handicap. The morning started off with sprint qualifying and I rode a time reflective of my training load currently of 11.75 and qualified second behind Anna in 11.71. Unusual to the normal program we had the Handicap before the sprint finals which was going to hurt the legs! I was leading Anna out for the win and got her to the second bunch with 3 laps to go and as I was coming around them a girl swung up and I went high to go around her and Anna went underneath thinking I was swinging, luckily when I came back down she was already in front of me, but I reckon I could have taken her to the front and for a massive 4lap turn but that didn’t eventuate. Anna held on for 3rd which was a good result considering the fact that the handicapping was a little favourable for the front runners, she even gave me the flowers she won which was very nice!
Up next I rode the sprint rounds where I defeated Stephanie Morton in the Semi-Finals before riding Anna in the final. In a photo finish I was able to hold Anna off and take the win which was a bit of a surprise for me and I was really a little taken aback but very level headed in that we are both smashed from training at the moment and winning or losing here is not where its at for either of us so it was onwards and upwards and onto the next race.
Lining up against Anna for the Sprint final. Note my new sunglasses sponsors Salice.
Playing cat and mouse
I drew a poor position in the Keirin and found myself at the fence on the line, but was able to do a sneaky underneath run off the line and get myself into 5th position. I knew I either had to make an early move around the front which is what I would normally do or sit and be patient – I decided to just see how the race unfolded and as it turns out I can actually show some patience and as Anna went to the front I waited for her to get there and then had one big attack around the bunch coming into bell lap. I took my second win for the day and in a more satisfying fashion which was really a huge confidence boost more for the fact that the work I have been doing since my disappointing Worlds campaign is paying off in small ways. Sometimes you need a devastating result to light that fire underneath you and keep you going forward – my fire is well and truly lit and won't be in any way distinguished until I achieve what I want.
We have a week long camp here in Perth before heading back to Adelaide to continue our long winter slog heading into the 2011/2012 season. Things are progressing on my end and I am working hard.
Hope everyone out there is well!
K-Mac.
