So today was race day and one hell of a day it was. Alot of fun infact. Luke and I left at around 9:30 and rode to our friends house around 15kms away. I felt OK but I could tell that the 200km ride from thursday was still making me feel a bit heavy. From our friends we drove to the race and I got entered. It was a bit dissorganised at the race so I was very unsure if I raced at 12 12:15 or 12:30. I did a short warm up and then waited with the other riders for our start. Turned out we waited for nearly 30mins so by this time we all were pretty much in the same boat. It was a hot day, about 30 odd degrees for our race so I figured I was probably the one most used to conditions. I managed to get my self front row on the start so I was happy about that. It was a short 50meter sprint and then a steep pinch before onto a long road. I pushed hard and hit the road first but was sensible enough to sit back and pull into second. When we hit the first little climb 2 guys went so I went with them into the first single track in 3rd. They were not to strong in the single track so we stayed together till the first big climb. At this point my heart rate went through the roof and my legs were feeling very heavy. The front guy (sandbagger as he shall form here on in be known) pulled away easily and 2nd got a bit on me. The climb was long with a technical kick in the middle and then some more open climbing before a road and then a fantastic singtrack switchback decent that was very fast and a bit technical. I foundmyelf just off 2nd at the top of the climb but come the single track I was right on his hammer and looking for the pass. The crowd was pretty big on the course with people all around yelling support. Of course it was in german so I had no idea what they were saying but it seemed good so I liked it. The commentator was loving me also yelling "Robin Adaminson from melbourne, Australia" the whole race. I was like a celebrity and loving it. So that first decent I had the pressure on and he started making mistakes. Problem was he kepts blocking the track and without full body contact I could not get past. I waited my time though and took him at the finish line when we stared our 2nd of 3 laps. First by this stage was well clear but there were 2 guys on our hammer behind. I pushed a bit and soon opened up a clearish lead in 2nd but the pressure was on. My legs started coming good and in the next decent it was great to have a clear run which I used to my advantage to open my lead. Come the last lap I knew I just had to top the climb and 2nd was in the bag. Sandbagger, a pro that was getting no results who had come back to hobby was well clear so I was content to just ride in 2nd place. So thats what I did. Pushed over the climb and decended safe to cross the line with the biggest crowd roar ive ever had. It was great. They all got into it. Even at the presentation I got a huge cheer when 1st got a bit of a clap. What a hoot. Now I think im starting at the willengen world cup hobby marathon race next weekend so cant wait. Sure ill get my ass kicked there! After my race Jorg was racing. he had just retured from his honeymoon/training camp in italy so there were doubts about how fresh he would feel. He rode strong and was leading in the 5th lap of 7 but the guy he was with had the legs and pulled away. Jorg ended up in a 3rd. Luke and I gave him so much support. We were running beside him on the climbs yelling support and encouragment so he would keep pushing. All in all it was a great day and I loved it. Then rode the 35km's back and we had a great dinner at the family house and a bit of a swim. So off to Austria. Looking forward to more hills and some new sites. Till next time.