Beaconsfield VSS Final Round and Victorian State Championship - Full Story Race Report from Matt Kidd

The morning was cold and the track had some wet roots and puddles to look out for but other than that there was heaps of grip on offer for anyone who was game for the challenge. Brenton and I stood at the start chatting to our fellow competitors waiting for the race to start. The nerves were building waiting for the race to start and all of us knew that the next 5 laps would be a pain fest. When the race started I got clipped in a sprint off in front of the field with Brenton behind me. This was only for about 25 meters when Luke fetch blasted past and a fair speed into the distance. I had Brenton on my tail and I wanted to push and get out of his sight. At one point of the track there is a tight squeeze through two trees, I smacked my bars but kept it up. Breton was behind and I heard him clip the tr, then go off into the bushes, I didn't want to look back or I would have hit the next tree in front of me. After the first lap I had a 20 second lead but I dropped my bottle in transition and Brenton was right back on my tail again, so it was another dig deep lap to push out that lead again. I was feeling great on the bike nailing every corner and felt in full control of my GT Zaskar and pushed hard at every turn. By the end off the third lap I had pushed a lead of 1min 30 and my laps were staying consistent and I was sitting in second place with Breton in third. At this stage in the race I had no idea how much of a lead I had so tried to stay consistent and push hard as after all, these are the State Champs. As I rode over the line it hit me that I had come second in a State Championship and all my training and hard work is starting to move me forward. Breton crossed the line after me for Third place. Also the top 3 riders all Rode GT Zaskars and I think that says something. Luke Fetch won the day doing 5 laps in 1:51:43, who is leaving to race in the World Champs in Italy in a few weeks and we all wish him the best of luck I completed the 5 laps in 2:08:58 with Brenton doing it in 2:17:58. The double points also help me out a far bit in the overall points, allowing me to move into first in the series and Brenton into second. A big thanks to GT Bikes, Bicycle Superstore and Mountain Bike Victoria for making this all happen. Matt Kidd