I’d had a few weeks to recover from illness and build some form post Nationals so was optimistic for a good performance in Bright for Oceania Champs. After a 4.00 a.m. start to catch my flight and a solid days travel I was left feeling a bit dusty upon my arrival which was worrying with the race just a couple of days away. Luckily I was able to get some good rest and kick whatever I was fighting off to feel fine by race day. It would have been quite frustrating to be sick for Nationals AND Oceanias!
For the first time this season I decided to race my Top Fuel due to the large amount of rough, flat, seated pedalling sections. In the race itself I had a good game plan to settle in and not consume too much energy on the first lap which I was able to do following Ben Oliver on lap 1. We came through the end of the lap with a gap on the Aussies so it was pretty clear Ben would be the man I would need to beat if I was to retain my title. Early on lap 2 I took the lead and held a strong pace on the climb which allowed me to open up a gap on Ben and from there I was able to clear out and ride my own tempo for the remaining 5 laps to take a comfortable win. It was nice to feel good again after a tough day out at Nationals and to retain my Oceania title, making it 4 in a row!