ZRL Race 2, Season 2

Team Report from Team ABR Flying Monarch.

Everyone enjoyed a fantastic evening of racing. We initially planned to approach the sprints together with our sprinters and aimed to allow Emma a chance at the second sprint after the climb. However, that strategy quickly unravelled as Emma fell behind by the conclusion of the first sprint. Jared, Keith, Arne, and myself were in the lead pack.

This race route is conceptually simple: a counterclockwise loop from Neokyo to Urukazi and back. It starts with the first 14.5km essentially flat or downhill as you wind through Neokyo and then descend the slot canyon and ride along the beach of Urukazi.

The major challenge for the racers comes as they climb up to the Shisa Sprint. This short climb corkscrews up to the sprint segment where they’ll have a quick chance to take in the view from Urukazi’s highest road before zipping downhill to the boardwalk and across to Mangrove Maze.

After the Maze, their next challenge awaits. This massive cavern holds a 2.1km, 3% climb which is a decisive segment for any race on Turf N Surf. Finish the climb in the front pack and they've got just 1km of flat road to the line.

Three chase groups were trailing behind, with Emma and Barry in the last group, around 60th position. A call went out to rally the team. Keith remained with the main group, while Jared, Arne, and I dropped back as a unit to turn the situation around. Barry put in an effort from behind and helped Emma catch up to the chase group. I picked them up and pulled them toward the second pack. Jared and Arne then took over and began pushing hard, but they went a bit too aggressively and lost contact with the group, making it impossible for us to catch the lead pack.

The competition was fierce for every point. We delivered Emma to the base of the Shisha climb and told her it was now her turn to break away from this pack. And break away she did—she had gained 17 seconds on them by the climb's summit. Although they narrowed that gap to 8 seconds during the following flat section, she pushed through and soared up the final climb.

Only one rider from the pack managed to catch Emma, resulting in a final finish position of 38th. In the sprints, we secured both Fastest Timed Segment, achieving 2nd and 12th First Across Line, which resulted in a solid points collection and placed us fourth overall – all while sacrificing points to support Emma. It was a tough beginning, but the teamwork and team spirit were exceptional!