pedal pedal pedal

A lil post from my buddy Ian

View from the Pits.
Well this weekend I gave the opportunity for Kyle to just relax and only worry about his race, as I was his pit man and mechanic for the race. This race was important for Kyle due to some UCI points on the line which would enable him to get a good starting position for Nationals in Nanaimo. Quick cleaning and pre-race check of his bikes, making sure they were in perfect condition and he was set to rock! He ended up with a poor starting position and knew he would have to battle hard to get up to the front. The race started fast single file, but then quickly bunched up as everyone was battling for position for the long sand pit section. Kyle quickly made his way from almost near the back of the pack to the top 10 with in a matter of minutes. After the 1st lap the two leaders were gone and never to be caught again. Kyle was sitting well and looking smooth on the bike, constantly moving up and closer to the top of the field. He then powered up to a group of 3 of Ontario’s best cross riders who were battling for 4th position. Knowing he looked strong and having no bike problems I yell to him from the pits to ride on through them. The group went around and out of site from our view and then reappeared to see the group was splintered and Kyle following a couple seconds back and managed to loose some more time till the next pit. The reason for this was as Kyle was going through the group one of the guys came over on him and took him out causing him to crash and broke his shoe! He yelled to me the problem and I quickly ran to the other pit to grab some tape so he could salvage the race hoping due to the fine fitness he had. After a quick but probably seemed forever for him stop, his shoe was full covered in tape in any way possible! Back in action as quick as possible, although he had lost precious time and in cross time is the only factor. With still half the race remaining Kyle had to push hard to make up time and get those valuable UCI points. He unfortunately dropped back to 12 and you could quickly remember top 10 was UCI points only. So he started to dig deep again and quickly moved into 11th with 10th in his sites. With not much time remaining he caught the 10th placed man but was starting to feel the effects. Losing touch with 10th in the long dragging slightly uphill head wind section he would have to fight back in the technical sections where he excelled. Catching 10th again and finally passing him gave Kyle hope, but Derek St John would have none of that. He is a powerful rider, knowing this having raced against him myself on the road, he once again managed to gap Kyle in the long dragging head wind section. With only 2 laps remaining it was crunch time and the point to leave everything out there! Mr. Douglas fought hard as he could but was unable to close the gap but the gap never grew either. Coming into final lap, everyone was screaming and yelling in support of Kyle, but still unfortunately able to catch those UCI points in front of him. Crossing the finish line you could see the disappointment in Kyle’s eyes, but I quick thought that the power and fitness was by far one of the best at the race, just luck was not on his side today.

With Nationals on the horizon, those valuable UCI points are out of reach now, but the fitness and strength is more then he could ask for. But he will be lacking one supporter/pit crew/mechanic named Ian Manning.

Good luck at Nationals Douglas! It’s yours for the taking!