POST RACE WRAP-UP - EDITION ZERO GRAVEL RACE
Photo by Dominic Blissett Photography
And it’s done, 242 Km later, a bit less for some, a bit more for others. The inaugural weekend of Edition Zero is done and dusted. With the racing done and over we all had a grand time, Waimate really turned it on for the weekend. Race day brought with it a mixed bag of weather; a fine and warm morning that lead to a cold southerly change in the afternoon that meant we were eating cold mud on the last gravel sections to the finish line. Though our results were a bit of a mixed bag, most of us had a grand day out, and there is already talk about heading down for the second edition next year.
Photo by Fiona Glennie Photography
Jason
The man that just about proved that it is possible to bluff your way through 240km - with barely the 500km of training and the longest ride prior of 108km. He rode well but unfortunately the afternoon southerly change - of rain, headwind, and cold - resulted in a rapid loss of fortitude, which meant he ended up pulling the pin going up Meyers pass a couple of hours and 30km short of the finish line.
Photo by Fiona Glennie Photography
Richard
Rich had a strong race ended up riding with Jase in the later parts of it but he like Jase succumbed to the elements on the final climb up Meyers and he too pulled the pin on the 30-odd km short of the finish line. It means he has unfinished business and may have to make a return appearance to make it across the finish line next year.
Photo by Dominic Blissett
Henry
Took line honours, for the shop, completing the course in 9 hours and 1 minute. Unlucky his race tapering involved getting sick and really took the edge of his race. He managed to hang in with the lead pack till the first major climb up Mackenzie Pass till he got drop and spent most of the rest of the race riding by himself.
Photo by Harry Talbot Photography
Hayden
In his rushed night before prep he uploaded, unknown to him, an incorrect course map to his Garmin. He had more faith in his Garmin than his fellow competitors and left the lead pack early on by taking a wrong turn which added an extra 8 km to his race. 250km, much fun and a monumental bonk 30km out from the finish, he crossed the line in 10 hours and 19 minutes.
Photo by Fiona Glennie Photography
Louis
His legs were strong, but his tyres were not. For someone that just about had to pull out due to a knee injury in the weeks prior he managed a strong time of 12 hours and 5 minutes. Though he would have definitely broken the 12-hour mark if it was not for the three monumental punctures he suffered.
James
Unfortunately for James he came down with a bug the Thursday before the race and wasn’t able to make it down to the start line, which he was rather gutted about. Hopefully, he will be able to make it down next year.
For those that are interested the full results can be seen here. And, yes, it has been confirmed that Edition Zero will be back in the final weekend of November 2023, keep your eyes open on the Edition Zero web page for when entries open up.
