Hey,
We've had a super nice race today here in Christchurch. Its the first time they have run the Ground Effect Crater Rim race and I'm sure its going to become a classic very quickly. After climbing for 30min, we spent probably eighty percent of the time on purpose built mtb single tracks, full of technical elements and rocks.

I raced my hardtail again, mainly because of the q-factor difference. The cranks on the scalpel are 3cms wider then the hard tail, so I've decided to stick to one bike until the Commonwealth games and then make the switch back to the fully. I started to regret the decision after a very short time, as I realised this course was probably most suited to a 4" Rush! Oh well, maybe I will be more prepared next year :)

In the end it was actually a good exercise of handling skills, as I was forced to keep the bike super smooth and flow over the bumps instead of into them. Apart from a flying start from Brendon Sharret, who promptly punctured on the first descent, I held the lead to the finish. My old travelling buddy, Laurence Mote, came in second place. The atmosphere was very relaxed, as is expected in New Zealand. Everyone seemed to have an awesome time, relishing in the amazing weather and mind-blowing singletrack. The race finished at a small beach just outside Christchurch called Taylor's mistake... so while we waited for the prize giving we enjoyed some refreshing body surfing :)

Allan and I are actually staying with Laurence's parents, John and Jenny, up in the lovely area of Sumner beach. It's been fun to catch up with the family. Lorry and his wife Viv have two lovely kids (in photo). It was just a few years ago that we were hitching our way around Europe to the World Cups. While I continued my quest for world glory, Laurence returned home and got domesticated... he's even has a vege patch! Must say, it makes me a little jealous in some ways.