Thanks to Ty for doing my blog last week in my internet absence, here is the long winded version:

The XC course was what I would call a very Australian course about 99% single track, which is great for riding, though not so good for the dynamics of racing, as most people will finish in the position they start in. I had a good start but couldn't do anything but watch Mcconnell ride away from me and everyone else on the second lap. I was left to battle it out with Norris until I lost the front end and laid it over, causing me to go backwards on the last lap, finishing 5th.

Sunday was the Short Track, with Mike and Linda Sinyard (or as cousin Ben calls them "Mr and Mrs Specialized"), turning up my Australian mentality came out: If the boss is in the office you have to at least make it look like you know what you are doing. I had a good start, though quickly found myself in trouble, some how I managed to hang on, positioning myself into the final corner first, that bike length out of the corner was exactly what I needed to get to the line first by the smallest of margins.

From Nationals to Tour Down Under, Monday I headed out with the Aussie Saxo Bank guys, Mike

Sinyard and a few of Australia's Specialized dealers for a light roll. Tuesday/Wednesday was

following the Tour.

From TDU to Australian National Series #2 in Victoria. It featured a somewhat challenging course from a passing and uphill technical point of view. I was loving the Epic, rocky/technical uphills is where the brain suspension excels. Though someone decided I need an extra challenge and started me on the back row. First lap was challenging and took a few creative moves to get through, sorry to all the guys that got chopped on my way through. At the lap and a half mark I made it to race leader until I grazed my side wall and had to go the traditional way of putting a tube in. At that stage I was a bit over it and continued as a training exercise, slowly picking off guys. At the finish I was only 2 minutes down- what could have been?

Short Track had an ordinary start, and had to get round guys and ride across to McConnell. He

attacked me as soon as I made contact, I didn't respond as I figured I could ride across the gap

again. Only legs were tired from yesterday and Dan "fresh legs" McConnell, was making the most of his DNF in the XC race. I got caught by the Drapac/Porche Team mates and found myself under attack; I managed to cover all the attacks and counter attacked with 2mins to go to finish second.

Thank you to the guys at Sram/Monza Imports and Specialized Australia for looking after me the last two weeks :-)

I'm now back home (Tasmania) and getting ready for Wildside, really looking forward to this one.

Not only is the race 4 days on Tassie's west coast, but the format of competitive stages combined with cruising stages creates the best atmosphere of any race I've ever done, between both the elite riders all the way through to the beginner racer. You should be able to keep updated on the event website or Cyclingnews.

Regards

Sid