Facebook report:
Yes, Bill and Kyle spot on, it was no coincidence being at Lorne for the weekend - tipped off by an Aussie in Perth - the Aussie RR trials for the 2017 UCI World Finals at Albi, France....managed to sneak in a very late entry.
Fantastic 120K course with the first half climbing into the Otway Mountains through the rain forest and then eventually an almost 10km alpine-like descent down onto the Great Ocean Road followed by a 40km rolling attritional finish with the stunning coastal backdrop.
There has to be an incident of course bizarre mechanical forced me to start at the back of the 280 starters, fortunately the immediate 11km of climbing enabled me to work through, catching all but 4 who unfortunately I never saw.
Our peloton size increasing and decreasing as we caught slower younger guys, determined to hang on until the next climb materialised.
Determined to stay in the first 10 or so, out of trouble, this got more tricky of course as the countdown signs to the finish decreased - recognising Phil Anderson (13 TourDeFr) in the bunch (see the photie, the ex pro looks class!) I decided to follow his wheel - he'll know what he's doing!
Tremendous combat going into the last 5km, everyone wants that position - finish up a 1km 4% climb - the plan worked a treat, followed that wheel and hit "Phil" ( we chatted on the warm down back to Lorne ) not 20m from the line, but out of nowhere my Aussie buddy from Perth (who'd been on my wheel) beat me to the line - 2nd in the bunch and 6th overall, 269 finishers - 83miles 3:20 4995ft.
First was the Kiwi who won the World TT in Perth, 2nd in the RR and recently broke the World best hour record for O50.
Much more fun than TT, though - if I was only younger!
So, some redemption - qualification for the 2017 World Finals in France (plenty of sleeps to make a decision) and GB representation again, already.
Oh and the bizarre technical? Friggin brake block slipped out the front wheel - don't know how, can't budge it now.....but got me checking and thinking on those descents, but of course you should not need your brakes!
THE END
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