D Grade Sandown Criterium Success

I've been working with Peter Kirkham over the last few weeks to help him improve his D Grade Criterium finishes. Peter's an enthusiastic racer eager to learn. Peter had a consistent run of 7 th's and really wanted to start placing. I provided Peter with some smart racing and training tips and within a few weeks he started to get closer. 7th, 7th, 5th, 5th, 3rd and finally a 2nd. It won't be long until Peter will come away from a race with the satisfaction of being the first to cross the line. Here is his story from his last race...

Bell Lap = Drops Lap. Going into this race I felt a bit of pressure coming from a 3rd place only 2 days earlier, it is hard to maintain consistency at the pointy end of the field. So I focused a fair bit on keeping my heart rate as relaxed as possible because some of the time it was high, yet I didn't feel at all exhausted - it was just nerves. Still I think this race was good because I raced strategically, stayed near the front to cover any attacks but there was only really one solid attack that was unsuccessful because he did it right in front of me. Coming through the "drops lap" I positioned myself further back through the last 3 corners than I usually would, I was probably about 6th. which worked to my favour in the end because you have more options as to who to pick as a lead out. The field split left and right slightly towards the line and I jumped from a guy on the left, to a guy on the right for cover who seemed to be moving slightly faster. I left my sprint until the final minute because I had thought about it earlier in the race and knew there was a fairly stiff headwind down the straight, and it paid off!

The guy that won the race broke away half way up the climb on the back straight on the last lap and went solo to the finish line, a good 50 metres ahead of the chase bunch! He has been promoted to C grade instantly. We chased but couldn't get him by the top of the climb, and I thought we'd get him back by the line because he slowed towards the top of the climb but he stayed out too far.

Final Position 2nd !!!

Thanks again David for your advice, clearly it is paying off.