About Me
- Ashleigh Moffatt
- It all happened to me when I jumped on the seat and became one with my bike. Nothing else around you matters at that time as you are in a world of your own. I share a passion for cycling and encourage you to join me on my journey in 2012, riding in colours of BMC. its going to be a very exciting year!!
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Wednesday, 17 October 2012
The Isuzu 3 Towers
This last week we made the journey to Mpumalanga where I was
going to be taking part in my first stage race, I had mixture of emotions
including excitement, a bit of nervous and I was anxious to try out this new
experience and see what it was all about. I teamed up with my wonderful coach
Johann Wykerd.
But first we had to make a stop along the way. We stopped at
White River as Candice Neethling was doing a talk about her year so far. This
was very interesting and exciting!
Then we were off to Mankele our 3 Towers destination!
I was super excited as we set up our campsite, with Johann
Wykerd bringing a huge tent and making it our own ‘villa’, it was great as it
was very hot!!!!! And so we could all chill by the tent. I couldn’t believe the vibe at the place, it
was so chilled and you with people (strangers and friends) during the whole
time, all getting along laughing and smiling. I was really enjoying myself,
couldn’t wait for the racing to start!
Stage 1:
(76km,
1800m of climbing)
I was a bit nervous and excited as we got ready and stood on
the start line for the first day of 3 Towers.
As we started we hit a hectic climb, right in the beginning
of race!!! Testing everyone’s legs and to make sure we were ready for what was
coming up. It was quite a lot of climbing (I’m being modest), we spent the
first 2 hours climbing. Johann and I worked really well as a team, as I set the
pace on the up hills and he set the pace on the downhills. The first tower of
today’s stage felt like it took a long time to reach but when we reached it we
knew we were almost done! There was some really great single track towards the
finish, we had worked hard today and I was happy when we crossed that finish
line. We came second mixed team with Candice Neethling and Justin Porteous
claiming the win.
We had a good day out there today on the first stage and I
felt good, so was happy to go and looked forward to the next day.
Stage 2:
(75km, 1750m
of climbing)
On today’s stage there was quite a bit of single track in the
beginning and that gave us the advantage from third and fourth mixed teams
racing. After a while we hit another huge climb (not uncommon around this area)
we spent an hour climbing this hill! About ¾ up this hill I had no more legs, I
was taking strain and therefore we had the third mixed team catching us and
passing us unfortunately. Johann was doing a great job pushing me up the hills
and trying to keep me positive as we got closer to the end.
So today wasn’t my day at all, but this is the experience of
stage racing. I was happy to go chill at the pool and recover. I decided that
tomorrow we would fight again, as well as the last day was the type of racing
both Johann and I enjoyed with a shorter distance and it being more technical
then any of the other stages.
We ended up coming fourth on the day and third overall, with
Candice and Justin still remaining in the lead.
Stage 3:
(50km,
1200m of climbing)
I was excited to start today’s stage, not only was it shorter
but I was ready to give it my all and fight back for our second place overall.
We started on the 10% tar climb that went into dirt after
awhile (this was the climb in the SA XCO Champs course). For some reason I felt
like I had brand new fresh legs and I went for it with Johann sticking on my
back wheel. I felt great and I was in an amazing positive mind set, which makes
all the difference. We were flying up this hill and ended up passing Justin,
which gave me even more energy to keep going. We got to the top of the climb
still feeling hundreds and I could see Candice in the distance. After a short
while we caught Candice I couldn’t believe it we were pumping it today! We were
then leading as Candice had to hold back for Justin but they were soon backing
with us and it was a constant battle between the two BMC teams. We got closer
and closer to the end, pushing it a bit more every time. We entered the last
15-10km which was majority single track (AWESOME STUFF!!!!), we were all
chasing each other like mad people. There was a bit of jeep track and that’s
when Johann went in front and I hooked onto his back wheel as we entered the
last bit of single track, it was a mad dash through the last few kilometres. We
got onto the last bit of straight road towards the finish line where Johann
just took off on a mission and I just had to hold on for life, this is where I
squeezed every little last bit out of me and we managed to cross the line first
mixed team home!!!!!!!!!!
It was such a great feeling to finish off 3 Towers which such
magnificent stage like that one!! I was overjoyed, a big well done to Candice
and Justin for a fantastic race. It was
a great event and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Thank you to my terrific partner
Johann for his hard work and an amazing experience at my first stage race!
Thank you to everyone for all the support was great!
Final Results:
1. Candice
Neethling and Justin Porteous (BMC)
2. Ashleigh
Moffatt and Johann Wykerd (BMC-SA)
3. Claudia
Slattery and John-Michael Du Preez (Linden Cycles)
Until next time have a fantastic day!
Xxx
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