Mt Isobel Challenge

Saturday the 22nd of May dawned to be a great one which was unexpected really, the skies were clear but it was cold.....
The start was at 10 am but it didn't warm up much so I was wearing most of my team Merida kit that I had just received the day before along with my new bike. I was very keen to win this race as I had a won it a few times before and this year I was representing both Merida bikes and Macpac.
It all started of well as we all headed up the hill, the field soon start to spread out and I was were I wanted to be, we headed into the single track after about 10minutes and I was in 5th place overall. I soon past a couple that were were actually team runners and I could see Brendon Sharratt and Anton Cooper back down the track and I wasn't making the ground on them that I was hoping to. I got to the transition with one individual in front of me (Norman Dunroy) he has also won the event before so it was going to be hard work to catch him and not to be caught.
I felt good on the bike down in the Clarence Valley but heading up Groan Hill I didn't feel strong like I usually would, I was caught here by Brendon and Anton and I tried my best to hold on to them. I kept them insight until the bottom of the descent but they were working together and pulled away from from me.
I finished in 4th place about 2 minutes and 50 seconds down not quite what I was looking for but still a good effort.
Looking forward to The Run 77 Tekapo MTB race in two weeks.

Thanks to Merida bikes (The Cycle Wharehouse, Christchurch), Macpac NZ and Brad and Moana at Halswell Butchery.