Greetings from sunny Finland

Monday, 12 June 2006

With only about 2 days from getting off the plane in Europe to racing at this weekends WRE races it was always going to be tough to be on top form.

While Adrian was feeling OK physically both days Alex suffered on the second longer day after going out at a hard pace in Saturdays middle distance race.

The maps were not typical Finnish terrain, but rather had a rather sparse track network where major route choice was the key with just a small pocket of detailed terrain.  The riding was very rough, with both guys glad they had bought their Scott Genius duallies with them. At times the rocky and bumpy tracks felt like they were going to shake you and the bike apart, and it was hard to keep up your speed on these tracks.

Both Adrian and Alex made a few errors on Sat, but both were feeling good enough to finish in 8th and 12th positions respectively.  On the Long race on Sunday, Adrian was feeling good after the day before, but made a ~2min mistake and a few smaller ones, but amazingly won by just 33sec from super finn Mika Tervala.  Alex was suffering from the day before, and while he was riding at his usual heart rate he 'just couldn't put any power down'.  He also made a few route choice errors which can quickly lose you many minutes in this terrain.

Results: Saturday and Sunday.

Latest MTBO World Rankings
 
Anna Sheldon wins Silver at European Champs! Friday, 1 September 2006 After a long campaign in Europe at the foot orienteering world champs and student world champs, Anna Sheldon swapped her running shoes for bike shoes and has won silver in the first race of the European Champs
Life after WOC Wednesday, 19 July 2006 Most of the team is back in Australia after an intensive campaign in Europe.
Latest World Rankings - Adrian Jackson #1 Tuesday, 18 July 2006 Latest world rankings released.
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No gifts at the long distance race Saturday, 15 July 2006 Riders encountered a very tough long distance race with winning times about 25% longer than the upper limit recommended.
Maps and Routes now available online Thursday, 13 July 2006 Maps and Routes now available online
Adrian's Middle Race Tuesday, 11 July 2006 Read Adrian's report of his middle race
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Central Australia Bike Challenge Thursday, 25 May 2006 CABC
MTBO Commission Bulletin - New Rule Thursday, 25 May 2006 MTBO Commission Bulletin
Change to 2006 WRE schedule Thursday, 25 May 2006 Change to 2006 WRE schedule
Training Camp Tuesday, 23 May 2006 WOC Team training camp
Team for Finland 2006 Wednesday, 12 April 2006 team annouced