Tour Down Under Flying Fosters Tour 2012 Stage 4 The day after the long one
After the long kms ridden the day before, everyone was a little sheepish about the rollout towards Norton Summit. We got stuck at a set of traffic lights just before the base of the climb. It was later revelaed one cheeky Sydney rider managed to sneak across the road unbeknowns to the rest of the bunch.
Upon reaching the 1km to go point El Presidente was on the side of the road on his Blackberry. As if climbing to 1km before the summit qualifies at KOM points.... tell that to Contador.
Dave Foster at Lobethal.We took the points with Gus flying by the Fozz on the side of the road.
Descending back through the Basket Range for the third time this week, we had learnt the lines to take and when to brake. Unfortunately the legs were feeling yesterdays kms and wouldn't co-operate. We managed to isolate the President again and worked him over all the way to Lobethal with Damo taking the points into there. The cakewalk continued.
A slight change of direction after Lobethal saw us head along toward the back ascent of Checker's Hill. A rd with a slight tailwind we hit 60kph down last year. I was determined to go a little better. Hitting 70kph this year was a bit beter than I had hoped for and strung the bunch out nicely before the surprise turn up towards Checker's Hill.
The climb up the backside of Checker's is not as short or steep as the front approach. It still takes it out of you though. Damo managed to suck wheel betterthan Mike and pipped him up the top of the climb. Another KOM point for the Vics.At the top I announced to all the newcombers to the TDU it was a rite of passage to climb Checker's Hill or forever you will be ridiculed. It turned out I was the one ridiculed as no-one would accept the challenge. Next year boys!
Heading towards the KOM at South Rd Hill the little engine that kept going Jacko managed to snavel the KOM points only just mind you.
Jacko takes the Points here. Vantage point at KOM.A bit of disorganisation followed the descent with some turning left & right. Most headed towards Williamstown for lunch with some heading back down the Gorge Rd.
The bunch through Williamstown.With the BUPA challenge on the same day, it was a pretty busy rd on the way home, catching 100 BUPA's just before the Chain Of Ponds I was a little concerned about the turn into Cudlee Creek and the descent down the Gorge. Dragging 100 BUPA's would be dangerous.
I lifted the speed of our bunch to overtake. Mainly the FFT guys kept up. Celtic Giant, Manly, Hampton and a few DeGrandi cyclists stayed in touch, making for an entertaining smashfest down the Gorge. I did a little too much work on the front as usual and popped myself on the last little climb out of the Gorge. No points awarded here then.
Damo and the Prez both recover the same way in the afternoon.
The last stage up tomorrow.






