A 13km circuit, 7 times, each lap including a 400m hill to a step followed by a 400m brute at 13% incline.
The University of Queensland had strong numbers and decided to take advantage sending riders on attack from the start, this continued throughout the entire race.
Katie Mactier set a tough first two hills but that wasted her; Kathy Watt was as determined as ever and produced her now trademark solo breakaway and as usual it was not easy pegging her back and we made sure that it didn’t happen again.
I rode with the front for virtually the whole race which may not have been wise as the final climb saw my legs staying at the bottom of the hill and I found myself off the lead group of 8 with three others chasing. It was a frantic charge to the finish closing down the gap just too slowly. We had a final dig with a 1km remaining but had to navigate past the commissaires’ vehicles in the final corner 500m out. We hit the sprint with the lead group but I had no legs to go on with it. I finished 11th but felt it was a strong ride and now just bring on Grafton this weekend and I’ll be happy.
