timvincent.co.nz

[timvincent]

Hi all.

Yesterday I won the 24-hour MTB World Champs.

They were held in Eschlikon, Switzerland in pretty cold and wet conditions. It rained on an off for the first 12 hours, and continuously for the second 12.

I was in the leading group of three for the first couple of hours, we were working well at a brisk but comfortable pace until one of the guys went with the leaders of the teams race when they lapped us. I went too but could only hold it for one lap. So I was in second place as the leader rode to about 12 mins over the next hour. I managed to bring the gap back down to 5 mins and then passed him when he took a break. He did few slow laps, another break then pulled out. I guess he cooked himself.

From that point I lead to the finish. I don't know much about the guys behind me, with many riders in 2, 4 or 8 man teams it was hard to know who was who during the daylight hours, and impossible during the night. I did get regular lap counts though which showed I was gradually putting time on the field.

My two biggest problems during the race were knee pain and the cold from being wet through for the second 12 hours. The prizegiving ceremony was an hour and a half after the finish. I was still shivering like crazy, and needed two people to help me onto the podium. I expect it might be a week before I can walk normally again, and another week until the grin wears off my face.

The race website is www.24-stunden-rennen.ch

Results are at http://ergebnisse.sport-timing.at/Eschlikon2006/Ultrabiker.aspx

Photos here http://www.sportograf.de/index2.php?section=gallerie&ID=24&part=1&sn=38&search

[Clarky]

Tim, that is incredible.

Congratulations for a fantastic effort that you should be very proud of.