Tour of Jakarta, Indonesia

• 1 day race around Jakarta, Indonesia
• 180 km
• 5 riders, 2 coaches, 1 mechanic

March 22, Saturday. Route Survey. Riders from different teams assembled around 7am at the starting line for the race on the following day. We surveyed the 50km race route. While familiarizing with the route, the group found out that the road condition was terrible. There were a lot of potholes, surprising and dangerous islands and humps.

March 23, Sunday. The race started early at about 7 - 7:30 am. There were teams from Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakstan, but many were local teams. We started at high speed averaging 50-55 kph in the first 20km. There were a lot of early attacks which was expected in classics. After 20kms more, I broke away with 2local riders from different teams. After 10kms, our 3-man break was caught by a group of 10-15 riders. A teammate was able to join me in front. Team Philippines was the only team with 2 riders in the break away, the rest were from different teams. The team from Kazakstan chased us. They led the peloton and were determined to catch the break because they did not have a rider in our lead group. The Kazaks gave a high speed chase and almost caught us in just a short time. But the peloton slowed down about 100m behind us. It was the signal to start the attacks from the peloton. Polygon riders started the series of attack because they also did not have riders in front. After more attacks and chasing, my teammate and I were joined by another teammate in the lead pack of about 20-30 riders. There were 3 of us from Team Philippines, 3 from Polygon, and 3 from Tonton’s team Jabar. The rest were 2 riders and single riders from different teams.

The swapping and pacing of the lead group was still organized in the last 70kms. Everyone was taking their turns in leading the group because our team and the other 2 teams with 3 riders each were determined to keep the lead. But the race was far from over and everybody was assessing each other.

Last 20 kms, 5 riders, 4 from Custom Team, joined us in the lead group. As more riders from different teams were catching up, attacks were started by Polygon riders. The lone Kazak rider in our lead group broke away. My teammates and I tried to keep up with the attacks. I was really exhausted in keeping with the breaks from the start and can not do anything as I watched the others broke away one by one.

The break aways formed a small group but failed to catch a lone break away by a local rider who won the race. My 2 teammates and I finished in the second group. We were 5th in the team category.