Getting too cold for most. Arrived about 8:30 and did a slow 15km warm up. 9p.m and no show from the Apex team. (hibernation?). My team started rolling up from 9:10 to 9:40 but we didn’t get started till close to 10pm.

I didn’t want to go too hard so concentrated on cadence, drafting and when I felt good did a bit of leading. For the last sprint I took the initiative and felt strong but due to the cold and the Saiko race next Sunday, I pulled up for the last 20 to 30m and let Aki have the win. He was flying past me and I may have pulled a hammy had I tried to beat him. All up around 48km.

My only concern for Sunday in Saiko is my aerobic strength. I have lots of mileage in my legs, lots of kgs in my muscles from the gym, lost about 10kg this year…but feel I could have done with a lot more roller training. Will possibly do one hit out on the roller tomorrow and not go to Thursday night training.