Robert Winder

Like I said on Friday, Mex and Ruth were determined to put on a good showing for Team Winder. Its pretty amazing to think this was Margaret’s 25 start of the season, and Ruth’s 2nd start.

It was a great learning experience for both of them. From what I heard on the way home there were some mistakes that won’t be made again, they’re both quick learners and very eager to do well. For Mex, her race consisted of being one of the people pushing the pace up the climb on the backside of the circuit. After 1/4 of the race someone shouted her to “go” they were apparently clear after the climb, so she did, head down, legs and heart pounding. Sadly, some inexperience was shown and as she pulled about 2/3rds of the lap the group came back together followed by a prime sprint and she was gapped from the group. She spent the rest of the race beating herself up for the mistake of pushing everything out to get the gap and prime without looking for any help. It’s a novice’s mistake to make, when you leave it too long to sprint back to the line after swinging off the front and she paid a big price for it. We talked about it after and she knows better for next time. Cycling is brutal at times.

Ruth was a star, she hung with the group for about half the race, longer than some more established riders and she successfully chased back on after the climb on one lap before succumbing later in the race. She rode through all sorts of back pain, I think this is related more to her lack of riding than positional, and by the finish she was in complete agony. But, she did finish and she is keen to keep at it. Of course, I am biased, but she has some raw power and I suspect there is an underlying talent there too.

I can’t explain the feeling of having someone else to shout for in a race, let alone having two people so close to me out there. Proud is not the word. When Jess was talking about there being a mother and daughter combination out in the race I was smiling from ear to ear. The result just didn’t matter to me. Thank you to you both for being there.

Thanks to SWoo for the photos!