The race on 10 November 2013 in Mombasa, Kenya was my last scheduled race on the ITU calendar for 2013. I wanted to end off the season on a high note after a disastrous season and obtain some points. I arrived on the Friday morning in Mombasa. The hotel was quite small but it had everything that I needed. I unpacked my bike to see if everything was in order and ready for race day. It was quite warm and humid so that would definitely play a part in the race on Sunday.
Saturday started with a
swim in the sea on the race course. I felt quite good in the water and was
confident with my swim. We
then had breakfast and relaxed. We then cycled the route which was flat and
fast, but I notice quite a few potholes in the road. I realized it will be hard to make up ground
if you lost time in the swim. The afternoon was just an easy run to loosen up
the legs and get ready for the race.
On race day the sea was flat and everyone looked focused on the
start line. When the siren went I jumped
onto eddies feet and followed him for a while. Two athletes had a small gap on
us, but we were 5 athletes in the pack and I was comfortable on the feet of the
Italian in front of me. The transition from the swim to the cycle was very
quick. After half a lap we caught two athletes, but one athlete got dropped
from our pack. Everyone was working well, except for one Polish guy. He only
did his turn once per lap. On the final lap he tried to come to the front and
dodged a pothole by swinging to the left side. Unfortunately, I was on his left
and also had to swing to the left to try and avoid him. I hit a pothole and
came down pretty badly; my body was full of scratches and my bike out of
action. That was the end of the race for
me.
It was a disappointing end to the ITU season, but I still have one
more race left for 2013. I am hoping to end the year on a high note at the Rockman
Off Road Race.
Until then
Cheers
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