XTERRA Championship repeat (updated)

Back to back.... MTB form equals good XTERRA form

Crap swim, Great ride, strong run = 2nd = happy
Credit to Monique Avery who put up a real fight to eventually finish 2nd.
Excellent choice of shirt by Super spectator Mike (in background)

Nic's report

I added another wee feather in my cap for the summer successfully defending my XTERRA NZ title at Blue Lake on Saturday. It was a hugely satisfying to have the #1 plate and race to the win off very limited triathlon preparation. It goes to show that as an individual sport mountain biking requires a high level of general body fitness, which, according to Jack Lovelock is key. He reckoned that ‘for any part of the body to function efficiently the whole body must be mentally and physically fit’. Sure, I didn’t have the specialized event fitness, but the foundation was good.

I had been agonizing over whether I race or not for several weeks. I reckoned that as the current champ I was obliged to line up and defend it. However I had made it clear that my focus is purely on XCO mountain biking, and as I leave for a race block in Europe so soon after XTERRA I did not want to detract from my MTB form at such an important time.

Turns out I couldn’t resist. After a brick session and a set of run intervals the weekend prior I knew that I could be competitive. Cabin was awesome, as he manipulated only the last week of training and managed to maintain the physiological objectives of each session for the MTB.

I was quietly excited about the race and the challenge I would have on my hands. I had a simple strategy - survive the swim, smash the MTB (get to the front of the race) and run smart. The swim was it’s usual carnage, and then some. I swallowed a heap of water and kidded to myself that hydration is good. I was pleased to touch the sand and arrive in transition to where my Avanti Competitor was waiting patiently for me. I felt a bit rubbish as I belched and burped my way up the tar-seal and I hoped the swim hadn’t knocked too much wind out of my sails. Soon after hitting the forest my legs came right and I was moving well through the traffic.

Monique Avery was charging at the front and I finally caught her heading up Moerangi Rd. As I went by she hung tough and rode with me for the remainder of the MTB and into transition. 10-metres was the difference leaving transition but I quickly got into my work, got past and made a small gap along the sand. I settled in and concentrated on running efficiently at a pace that I would be able to maintain throughout. I actually enjoyed the run, particularly once I had it under control. Running the last side of the lake and up to finish platform was especially rewarding with a heap of support from spectators. I crossed < 2mins up on Monique and 5mins ahead of 2nd Elite woman Rebecca Rae & Suz Wood of Nelson was 3rd. It was great to have Monique right up there putting the pressure on, she had a good strong race and will no doubt be a strong contender to defend her age-group title at Maui.

Thank-you all for the amazing support; AVANTI, BALANCE NUTRITION, 2XU, NATURE VALLEY, NEW BALANCE, SMITH OPTICS, N-DURO EVENTS. I have enjoyed a busy but successful summer bagging the National & Oceania MTB titles and XTERRA too. Your input has certainly been instrumental, thank-you. I am looking forward to Europe where the challenges only get bigger, but so do the rewards. Will keep you posted. Cheers, nic!

... And Cabin's account

2nd again, and my 4th straight XTERRA NZ podium. I'd be frustrated, except that I put together a strong race, used everything I had on the day, did all I could, and was only beaten by a complete performance by Scott Thorne.

My swim was a little dissapointing. I've been struggling for speed, and felt I was coming right. However I dealt with the carnage of what was a rough swim poorly. Shuffling back through the pack after a great start to eventually emerge 2min45 down on front, and crucially 1min30 behind Scott. I should probably be happy I emerged at all, as the IRB made 3 rescues for a broken arm, concussion, and broken collarbone respectively!

Onto the bike and I really was charging. Despite a few slight delays in trying to pass slower riders who refused to give room (why? I never understand. Why wouldn't you let the faster rider go and follow? You might learn something.), I got through the field pretty quick. Legs were great and I pushed hard. So much so that I decided to have a wee lie down on the road at the top of chesnut link for a rest. Not too much damage down and I emerged off the bike just 30sec down on Scott.

We later realised how hard we'd gone when we saw splits. I had the fastest split at 1:14. Other than Scott (@ 1:14:55) and 1:16 something from Junior MTB star Sam Shaw, the next fastest split barely broke 1:20!

With Scott in my sights I set off hard on the run, cutting the lead to 15sec after 1km. I then realised it was a bit too hard and immediately started to crumble as cramp set in. Scott was strong and increased his lead to 1min with one 5.5km lap to run. Focussing on efficient technique I pushed as hard as I could throughout the closing kilometres, but it was all I could do to hold the gap. Crossing the line 2nd, and just 59sec down.

Scott deserved it. He worked hard, and the only downer was Richard Usshers absence. Scott put such a complete race together I suspect he could have beaten pretty much anyone on Saturday. Between us I think we proved this really is an event that requires special skills, strength and determination. No longer can a strong road triathlete expect to turn up and lead the way. If anything, it proves just how good Hamish Carter was as an athlete.

Next up for me? rest, ice cream, and I'd better go looking for a Dirtbike.

The 29er's keep getting faster

Some eye candy for 29er fans out there. May I present the latest edition to the Cabin Racing stable. I've been through a few iterations of 29ers now, and quite honestly they keep getting better. Pictured ready to go for XTERRA this weekend its weighing in (as pictured with pedals and tube taped to the seatpost) at a massive.... 9.1kg!

No its not skittery and sketchy to ride. Its actually one of the best descending XC bikes I've had the pleasure of riding. Might be the lefty? Might be the geometry? Either way it rides sweet. Even kept pace ok with his royal radness Ross Schnell on his remedy (maybe he was just being nice?).

For standard spec you can have a look here But I have made a few mods. Threw on an FSA carbon crankset (27/40) and a XX fr derailleur (modified with an angle grinder to accomodate the rings). Switched to grip shift. Put my Stans Race 29er rear wheel in. 12-26 road cassette (closer ratios), and istalled some favourite Bontrager tyres. Good to go. Its quick.... I just hope my legs/lungs can do it justice.

So its been a bit of a flurry of media activity for Nic in the wake of Oceania's. Latest (and perhaps coolest from a cyclists perspective) is that she made it onto cyclingnews.com

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/new-oceania-champion-nic-leary-looking-forward-to-european-debut

There's a few more features in various publications lined up. Meanwhile I have to make do with this piece from Dunedin TV

http://www.ch9.co.nz/content/dunedin-mountain-biking-facilities-becoming-world-class

Oceania Short Track

Oceania Short Track champs. Not entirely sure whether my face is showing exhaustion.... or relief that I finally beat Mikey for the first time in 4 races (where our combined seperation over two N-Duros and 2 x 25min Short tracks is still less than 60sec).

Mikey did stop for a lie down on the track in the first few minutes so did well to get back to contest the finish. Must have been a hard night on Saturday huh Mikey?

Oceania Champ... Nic's report

So a pretty good weeked for Team N-Duro/Nature Valley in Dunner's. Ater Nic's Saturday heroics I enjoyed a mint Sunday....

.... got up. 1hr10 trail run. Went to crusty corner for chocolate croisant and coffee. Won the Oceania Short track title!!! Scotty cooked a mean BBQ for dinner. Watched 4 episodes of Nitro Circus season 2, and polished off some cake and ice-cream. Nice.

Anyway..... Nic's report on the weekend as follows.....

I am home from a successful weekend racing the best of the Aussies in the Oceania MTB Championships held in an old stomping ground of mine – Dunedin. Quite contrasting is that back then I was a student playing premier club rugby at half-back for the Varsity women’s side, running a bit & quite possibly socializing too much! Indeed it was a different agenda this weekend & I am happy to report that I had a strong race claiming my first Oceania XC women’s title to go with my recent National Elite XC title! Rowena Fry (Australian National Champ & Avanti team-mate) was second (+1min20sec) & the one who I had to keep clear of throughout the four lap race on a superb course at Forrester Park.

It was my birthday on Friday, which I had forgotten about until Cabin mentioned it. Then I was reminded frequently as fellow XC racers Gav & Raewyn had speckled the course on Friday with an array of signs to make sure everybody knew! It made for an entertaining pre-ride.

I was feeling fresher & stronger as race day approached. I had had a flat day at the Karapoti race 2 weeks ago, and that race seemed to further knock the stuffing out of me. I did manage to fit in another ‘block’ of training in between & we changed my approach to Saturday’s race which was a good call. I was recovered, and raring for another punishing outing.

First Lap, and pace is on to hit first singletrack

The race start was hot off the line, but into the first turn & single track it slowed, quite significantly. I was about fourth wheel & felt we were creeping so I made a couple of passes & sat in behind leader Rowena Fry. Up a short pinch I boldly went around Rowena & pinned it for the ‘farm track’ climb. I kept the pace reasonable and she drew alongside and we rode to the top close enough. Rowena led into the first single track descent, and along with Fiona MacDermid we seemed to have gapped the field nicely.

Impatient up the next climb I was raring to get by & get away so I attacked & after a lengthy piece of single track I popped out clear of Rowena - much to the crowds delight! I knew it was now my race to control & went about riding smooth, strong & fast. Mid-way through the second lap Rowena rode back to within 15sec of me. I could see her on the switchback below which startled me a bit, but I sensed she was working hard. I rode the descent well & made a plan to stay consistent until the climb then test the legs again. There were 2.5 climbs on the course, the farm track was the most grueling & each time I went up it I felt better & better. By the fourth & final lap I was firing & I managed to extend my lead. I was pretty happy exiting the forest for the finish line with no-one (but a few U19 boys I was amongst) close. I won by a tidy 1min20sec.

Post race interview. Cabin super impressed by the old school journalism. Pen and paper, jotted notes..... and he wrote an interesting and accurate story too.


I seem to be learning more & more about race craft & it felt great to be able to apply the pressure, absorb some & finish off so clinically. I was not only happy to win but I was happy with my performance all round. It is definitely onward & upward from here, in 3.5weeks I will be in Europe to contest the first three World Cup races – a big step again, but one I am looking forward to. It is great to measure up, tick that box & then set about the next goal.

I would especially like to thank my sponsors for their marvelous support. AVANTI, 2XU, BALANCE NUTRITION, NATURE VALLEY, RIDESTRONG, N-DURO EVENTS, SMITH OPTICS & NEW BALANCE. I certainly hope to be reporting more great news as my season continues. Thank-you also to the many others that support me, most of all Cabin – coach, partner, team-mate, house-mate, masseuse, mechanic…you get the gist. Cheers!

Oceania Champion!!!

Quick post.... Nic Leary is the 2010 Oceania XC Champion!! Great display of controlled agression on what was a super testing, but very fun, Bethunes Gully track in Dunedin. Aussie Champ (and Avanti team mate) Rowena Fry 2nd.

Pics and a proper report to follow later.

Oh yeah.... I rode the morning Masters race and spent the morning chasing super freak 15yr old Anton Cooper. Worked out ok as we did the 5th/6th fastest lap averages of the day.

National Champion....On the 3yr Training plan

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present your 2010 NZ Elite Womens XC Champion (and Short Track XC Champion), Nic Leary. Mission accomplished, next step Karapoti, and Oceania's. One very pround partner typing this.

One who was then motivated to add to his freshly crowned Masters XC title, to smash out a decent ride himself in the Short track and pushed National Mens Champ Mikey Northcott to the limit, before grudingly settling for 2nd.

Saturdays National XC Champs win by Nic was extremely satisfying for Nic (and me). She's worked bloody hard towards this, and her display on the day was impecable. Riding strongly off the front from the outset. Putting together a mistake free race extending her lead with every lap for an emphatic victory over Fiona Macdermid. One very accomplished athlete herself.

What was more special was that Mt Vic provided the location. As opposed to my 25yr training plan mentioned in the previous post.... Nic's has been less than 3. It was at this very venue almost 3yrs to the day that Nic took in her first National XC event. As a spectator on the sidelines watching me in what was my last Elite XC national in NZ. Thinking it was cool to watch, but perhaps even more exciting to be a part of, a new sporting pursuit began in earnest.

3yrs later, on perhaps the best XC nationals course I've ever seen in NZ (thanks marco, slackboy and co), she pieced it all together. Even better was the crowd support. Nic and I now like to think of ourselves as honorary members of the Bushlove Racing crew.... so it was important to perform in front of this very enthusiatic bunch of supporters. And we really did enjoy the after match socialising with this lot. I even publicly declared them the future of XC such is their enthusiasm and passion for the sport. Cheers guys.

And me? Despite Slackboys protestations I felt no guilt in claiming the Masters National title. Kyle Wood from Timaru scared me early in the race with pace I wasn't expecting. His great riding forced me into an uncharacteristic panicked state. Racing like an excited 18yr old I proceeded to crash my brains out for the first two laps before finally settling down to ride away to (an eventually) solid win.

Bring on Karapoti