On a pretty cold Saturday morning I made my way down to Albert Park for a race I thought not only I had no chance, but thought if I could make the top 10 would be pretty happy.

Jot to the track around 7:15 in the am with not a breath of wind, but a balmy 6 deg showing on the thermostat. Start by grabbing bike; wheels; bits and bobs ready to go register. Rolling to the start line, no nerves just waiting to go was all I could think at this time (hurry up 8am). Once registered numbers were pinned and transbonder in place (electronic timing YAY) I head out for a few siting laps and warm up. Meet up with a couple of guys I knew and just tootled around looking for places to make moves, or if need be attacks on the field.

From the button the pace was........... well pretty comfortable. No one realy wanted to do anything major, and everyone was watching the others kill themselves on the front. I sat about 6 wheels back waiting for some excitement.................. and none came. After 20min or so of sitting in I decide to hit the front and ramp up the pace. I was wondering if anyone had the guts to come along for a breakaway.

I took the group from 31 k/Hr to 40 in the blink of an eye and charging right up the extreme left of the straight. Looking for riders to help I hit the turn and jumped out again at pace, flick of the elbow and none came through with any help. I moved to the other side of the trac and again flicked the elbow and still not a follower to come through to do a turn. I had to pull to thr right of track and tap the brakes to get back on the end of the field to recover.

It was at that point I decided to sit in, wait, and charge at the end.

I sat on the back until 3 laps to go, and decided to make some spots at every turn to make sure I was near the front when the sprint went. Heading into the last turn I was in 6th wheel and looking good to finish in the top four.

Much to my surprise the the lead out came at a pace I was able to follow. After shooting past 4 riders, and having to shoot left a little because the lead out man pulled into my way, I was in 2nd place and chasing down first but running out of legs quite fast. Hitting the line I saw a Hawthorn jersey just to my right about half a wheel in front, so I managed third place in the first ever open Criterium I have every ridden.

I learnt alot riding this race and there are alot of things I could have done better. But everything I learnt will be place in the next time I roll out with a number on my back and a ich in my leggs.....

Time takes it toll on everyone, even me sometimes. I have been spread pretty thin as of late, but seem to be making it to everything and keeping up on what I need to do. Even training is getting a bit easier with better time management, and having great frineds like Bev; Darren "Bang Bang" Rodgers; Thomay Michahablahablahabla to ride with on Wednesday Nights in the cold and wet...

The aboc Saturday Junk Run is starting to take shape again with a few more riders begging for time and wanting to come along. This is something that I thought would never really go much further as interest was lost and time became a problem, but Staurday mornings a small groupetto of fool hardy souls join each other for a quick 40-60 klm depending on your geography. As the group is getting bigger, I will now start to publisize the ride again, and hope the group gets even bigger. We will still have to make the hard decissions in really rainy weather, but most will have my number and a quick call will find out if the ride is on or off.

With finalization of my Level 1 just around the corner, I am pretty exited. It has been a pretty drawn out process, but I am on the home stretch and can see the light. As with everything life tends to rear its ugly head, and some things get left behind. With only a Bike Fit and a First Aid certification left to do it shouldn't be to long now.

I have a new baby at home as well........... An Avanti Cadent Team...... Not one of those things that screams; eats; poos; sleeps...... Sounds alot like me really. I have only taken it for one quick belt around the Yarra Blvd, but I am VERY VERY IMPRESSED. After a few more rides I should have a better handle on what the bike is like and I will right a full report then.

Racing coming up for me will be Teschner Grand Prix. This looks to be a pretty hard day, but will be great fun. If I can get a bit more road racing miles in the leggs, track sould be a bit easier over summer.