Asian Cycling Championships 2007: Massed Start

September 9, Sunday. A day after the punishing itt. I had a 40km recovery ride. I was atill tired and wasted so I slept all afternoon to recover for the massed start event the following day.

September 10, Monday. The 197km race started at 8:30 am. There were 66 participants from all over Asia. As expected, the race was really fast at panay atake para sa break away. I and a team mate were part of an early break away of about 10-15 riders. Our group was caught by the peloton and was immediately followed by a series of attacks by riders from different countries. A number of break away attempts were easily caught because the race has just started and everybody were still fresh. Until I had the opportunity to be able to break with 10 riders. Wong Kam Po was also in the group so the Iranians led a fast chase. Our break away group failed to widen gap and was later absorbed by the main group. Before the 4km steep climb, another series of strong and consecutive attacks were made by the Japanese and Kazak riders. The group were divided into several small groups. I was with Askari, Tonton, and a Japanese rider. Askari (Iran) was leading a fast chase that was too much for me. I slowly fell behind but was able to join the main break when I and 2 riders from Thailand and Vietnam let out a fast chase. Another group of 7 riders from different countries and a team mate was able to join the break. Another series of strong attacks were made during the steep climb. A group of about 10 riders were able to break. I was left behind in the second group which was about 20 riders. Our group failed to catch the 1st group as we felt the fatigue, and the 10 break aways were already nearing the finish line. Only one South East Asian, a Thai rider, was part of the 10-man break. Japan was 1st, Iran 2nd, and Hong Kong 3rd.

The race was really hard. I felt like I gave my 100% in my performance and 200% will and perseverance. But I know it was still not enough. My average heart rate was supposed to be my maximum limit for my age. My maximum was really high. Mabilis tumaas pero mabagal bumaba. Matagal bago ako makarecover from fatigue. Groge sa pagod. I admit I was under trained. As I said in my previous post, I was back to road training for about 2 weeks. The longest distance I did during training was about 160km. That wasn’t enough for a 197km race. Under training for a 1-day complicated and high intensity race is bad. Kulang pa talaga. Although I gave my best but I guess my best wasn’t enough hehehe. But the positive side is the team had the opportunity to study the race route, and the weather. The team also had the chance to know what is lacking and needs to be improved na mas higit pa sana sa lakas ng mga makakalaban namin sa SEAG.