|
 |
Just as the UK winter was taking it’s toll on me I was lucky
enough to head south to have a look at the 2006 World Championship
course that is due to take place in Rotorua in August. I decided
to make the 24hr flight a bit more worthwhile so I went for 3 weeks
so I could also take part in two nationals before the Oceania Champs
in Rotorua.. After 2 days my bags finally arrived so I could finally
get clean !! I met up with a friend of mine from uni who is currently
living in Australia . We headed straight to the first race in Wanganui
to a pretty crazy NZ track, dirt jumps, drops and the driest dust
you could imagine !! It was quite a shock to the system as the only
other downhill I had done this winter was in Scotland with my mud
tyres on !!! However I quickly got into it and enjoyed my riding,
taking the win over a field of Kiwi girls. We then headed back to
Rotorua and spent a few days doing some serious xc riding as my
friend is a triathlete !! Yes I was pretty tired !!!
Fabien and Paul then arrived just in time for the next national
race down in Napier. This was a very different track, very pedally
with the same slippery dust ! I had a good crash in practice giving
my good shoulder a whack so I was pleased to take 2nd to a seriously
in form Vanessa Quin. Fabien had about 5 hrs sleep over the previous
3 days and still managed to take a very close 2nd !
Before the next race I headed back up to Auckland and visited a
family friend, milked some cows and had a day on the beach !!
Next stop was Rotorua for the Oceania Champs, it was basically a
dress rehearsal for the world championships in August. The same
track, organisation and quite a few of the worlds best riders in
town. The only major difference is that in August it will be winter
in New Zealand so the weather will not be as good. Although having
said that I had my only two experiences of rain in my 3 weeks away
over the weekend of the race ! It didn’t do anything to dampen
the dust but the wind took it’s toll sending me crashing off
a small jump at the top ! It is a pretty good track with a bit of
everything apart from any rocks. Its all earth with high speed,
technical sections and some good pedalling aswell. I had a pretty
good run and ended up 3rd just behind Sabrina Jonnier, and Vanessa
Quin. Fabien rode another fantastic race to take the win over Sam
Hill.
I certainly did not feel race ready, but that is ok as it is still
really early in the year. I was just happy to get chance to have
a preview of the track and I know now what I have to do to come
back faster in August !!
I have a huge load of thankyou’s as I was looked after superbly
by everyone I came across. The kiwi’s really have got a knack
of making you feel really welcome. It’s such a great place
to visit. A big thankyou to Alden and Wendy, Dereck and Carey, all
the commissaries, Gaynor at the farm and Craig Pattle and his mum,
they all gave me shelter at some point on my travels.
I also need to give the guys at Agrodome a special mention, as we
were treated to an amazing afternoon there. All the adrenaline fixes
you could want all in one area and to top it off a sheep show aswell.
What more could you want in NZ. Make sure you check it out if you
ever visit NZ. www.agrodome.co.nz
A big thanks to Jason and Jason and the rest of the crew. Check
out the pics….yes I was scared !!!!Tracy...
|
