Kusatsu 2011 race report

sunrise - always sunny in Gunma!

Today I headed out to Kusatsu. I left at 4:30 in the morning and arrived at 7:30. I went to the hotel where Enosan and co were staying, changed out of my pajamas for my race gear and headed for the start area.

Fuji boys

I did my 40 minute warm-up as planned. I met many friendly faces: Kitano san, Tazaki san, Ono san, Kenta san, Noguchi san, Clayton, Type R, Azumino guys... the start time came in no time.

On the start line I was having a fun chat with Tazaki san when a voice on the loudspeaker announced “5 seconds to go!” A large chorus of “What!?”. 3,2,1, GO!

Despite messing up clipping in to the pedals, I got in a pretty decent spot near the front of the group. Clayton was off the front sparring with one of the guest pro riders. Inspiring stuff!

But then, from the left, from the right, riders are gradually passing me. Why? I feel comfortable enough but I just can't follow the wheels. Always the slow starter!

I ended up in a second group of 4 riders, 2 from Fuji cycling, 1 from Ovest and me. The group wasn't gaining on us and with a bit of cohesion, I thought we could bridge across. However, as the course passes through the gate, the pace picked up and the top group splintered apart. Our group of four also broke up.

Familiar ground for me. Get a rhythm going. Solo TT time.

I gradually picked up and passed those falling out of the back of the top group. Kenta san, Fujita san, Kitano san. Slow starter!

Niigata boys

I crossed the line in 38 mins, 12th place. Behind me in 13th was Kitano san – well done! Tazaki san 4th! Clayton 1st!

After that, the Niigata boys enjoyed a climb up to the highest national road pass in Japan. The road, free of cars, the scenery, fantastic!

Back down in Kusatsu, we enjoyed a fantastic open air onsen.

Next up, Tokyo~Itoigawa. Can't wait!

touring time

日曜日に草津へ行ってきました。朝4時半に家を出て、7時半に草津に着きました。エノサンたちの泊まった所でパジャマから着替えてスタートエリアまで行きました。

ローラーで40分アップしました。

知り合いにたくさん会った: Kitano san, Tazaki san, Ono san, Kenta san, Noguchi san, Clayton, Type R, Azumino guys...あいさつしていたら、すぐにスタートタイムになりました。スタートラインまで行きました。スタートラインで田崎さんと楽しく話していたら、サイドから"スタート5秒前"と言われました。 ＷＯＷ！！3、2、1 ＧＯ！

ペダルに上手く入らなかったけれど良いポジションにつけました。でも左から、右から、選手がどんどんきます。田崎さん、ケンタさん、北野さん。

なぜかヒルクライムではいつもスロースターターです。キツイくはないけどついていけない。

big pass, small ass

トップグループの後ろのセカンドグループに入ってしまいました。4人でした(FUJIの二人、OVESTの一人、僕)。
トップグループに追い付けそうでしたけどゲートの前でトップグループがペースアップして、バラバラになりました。僕たちの4人グループもバラバラに…

the highest national highway in Japan

その後はいつもどおり一人のTTモードでした。トップグループから落ちてくる選手をどんどんパスします。ケンタさん、藤田さん、北野さん。スロースターター！

ゴールで38分、12位でした。北野さんが13位、グッドジョブ！4位田崎さん！CLAYTONさん優勝！

hairpins make a great race course

その後新潟ボーイズで峠まで登りました。道も景色も最高でした。

下ってからの草津の露天風呂も最高でした！

Kusatsu Onsen stream

次は東京-糸魚川です。がんばるじょんのび！

Enosan, nice guard!

Kusatsu 2008 36:00 / 5th
Kusatsu 2009 36:55 / 3rd
Kusatsu 2010 40:01 / 6th
Kusatsu 2011 38:00 / 12th

return at sunset

Editor's note: Recent renewed interest in the working relationship between Lance Armstrong and controversial Italian sports doctor Michele Ferrari have brought the spotlight on our own rider Andy Wood. Some readers have expressed concern about the working relationship between the lanky British rider and Tokyo based Kiwi consultation guru Dan Underwood. Andy went on the record saying “any meetings I have with Mr. Underwood are never prearranged, always by chance, usually involving him sneaking up behind me and shouting “Alright Big Fella!” or vice-versa.”.

When challenged about what they were talking about so secretly 3 minutes before the start, Andy responded “Dan simply told me to go with one jersey as only girls wear an undershirt”. Asked if the advice was beneficial, Andy stated “Mr. Underwood is a professional consultant, so any advice he gives needs to be respected. The jersey advice combined with a few weeks of high alcohol training could be what led me to smash 2 minutes off my best time this year!”

Readers, it seems Mr. Underwood practices what he preaches and one suspects his uni-layer fashion choice was instrumental in him knocking a massive 3 minutes off his best time this year!