The small farming community of Harburg played host to the annual Tour de kranz classic over the weekend and put on a show that reminds us what community spirit is all about. The event has grown and the 2011 event was by far the biggest yet. The 750 pre entries made for an amazing field and add another 350 entries on the day and you have a sizable event at a local event.

The race route, year after year, follows a very similar direction but with a couple of tweaks here and there and the already amazing route was made even better. A new couple sections of single track added to the outstanding selection already on offer, but the major improvement was on the biggest climb of the day. The uphill switchbacks resembled something out of the tour de France and had many cyclists talking after the event over a couple of beers.

Upfront the race was always going to be fast with the same names racing upfront in the 2010 race. The on form Brendan Davids and Brandon Stewart were always going to be tough to beat on a power climbing track. The pace was set early on by Brandon Stuart and myself and Brendan Davies followed quickly making a break from the chasing group behind. We rotated the work at the front of the group but as we hit a sizable climb, Stewart attacked, I went with him and managed to grab his back wheel and survive but Davies wasn’t so lucky and dropped off the pace. I had pushed hard to stay with Brandon and knew I would pay with tired legs if I didn’t tap off the steam. I tapped off and linked up with Davids. We tried to close the gap Stewart but that initial move I made earlier with Stewart had left its mark in my legs and I couldn’t hold the pace. That coupled with the weeks heavy hill2hill training had left me a bit flat. I attempted to bridge the gap but settled into my own rhythm to the finish line to take 3^rd place 3min behind the winner.

A great ride and event, definitely one I’ll come back to year after year.   

1^st Brandon Stewart

2^nd Brendon Davies

3^rd Andrew Hill