48 nieuwelingen stonden vanmiddag aan de start in Parike. Na 62 km was de Australiër Mitchell Wright de snelste. Hij kwam op 150 meter van het einde uit het wiel van zijn voorganger en kon hen makkelijk achter zich laten.
Zijn volledige verslag van de wedstrijd kan u hieronder lezen:
"After a quick run over the course as a warm-up and preparation for the race, it was obvious that today's kermesse was going to be fast, technical and far from a race for the weak. The field was fierce from the start, pushing and fitting through the smallest of gaps to get to the front. It wasn't until the first time up the climb when there were attacks left, right and centre that the bunch strung out and a break had formed consisting of four Belgium boys. After the first four out of ten laps I was feeling good and in a great position, only to be stung on the face by a bee and was finding it hard to breath. After about a lap, I put my head down and worried about the race, instead of the pain and got to the job ahead. Each lap, the pace seemed to get faster and faster. I worked out that to win the race going down the descent, into the last corner before the finish, I would have to be wishing the top three riders on the last lap. The second last lap was brutal, with everyone giving everything they had. As this occurred, my Australian team mate, Riley Hart was at the very back having troubles with his back wheel and break. He aggressively stuck in and made it up to the front by the top of the hill, in which I take my helmet off to him (mind the pun) for his amazing effort. Aswell as this, the second last lap was extremely important as it put us in a great position, sitting within the top five. The last lap was continued and I was second wheel, exactly where I wanted to be and was able to hold that position into the last corner in which the boy on the front attacked as I followed him and came around him with 150 metres to go. The feeling of coming second yesterday to Riley was great, but today felt amazing. I'd just like to thank my mum and dad for this amazing experience, Tim Redus and all the guys at the Chainstay for all their amazing support, Park Bikes for their unreal help with my bike and Cipolla apparel for the support and keeping me comfortable."
Foto: Tim Redus
