Sunday the 14th December. Afternoon storms were predicted for the day but the morning temps were scorching, producing loose dusty trails for the racers during the downhill qualifying. Perfect conditions in my eyes for what would be my last day out with full use of both arms before shoulder surgery on the 18th and the road to recovery that follows.
After a busy start to the day I arrived at the You Yangs mountain bike park with just enough time to check out some short course XC racing on what looked to be a very fun little loop. From the XC course I made my way over to the lower section of the DH track to find a good spot to watch.
Qualifying kicked off with the elite riders coming down the hill first, flying over the big jumps and drifting through flowing berms in the lower section of the track giving the crowds exciting racing right from the word go.
Ascending the track proved to be hard work in the increasing heat of the day, however rewarding seeing riders of all levels attack every section of thetrack at intense race pace.
With qualifying finishing up around midday I had to quickly make a move in order to make it back to town to watch some road racing at the Super crits in Port Melbourne.
The circuit was buzzing before the start with large crowds, filled with plenty of keen cyclists, who had turned up to see some of the pro teams in action.
Racing started out controlled but fast with the pace car struggling to drop the group on the short straits of the circuit. Exciting racing followed, enhanced by cash prizes up for grabs on regular sprint laps. After what seemed like a short walk round the track to a few different viewpoints the racing was closing in on the bell lap. A ridiculous number of laps completed at an average speed that I could only dream of riding.
All in all it was a cracking day out watching two very contrasting events, with all elite riders putting on a real show for everyone that turned up to be a part of it.
