Maribor 4x finals
MARIBOR, SLOVENIA
The 4x in Maribor is one of the best tracks on tour. It is not easy and has a lot of difficult turns, a few passing spots, and some fun jumps. The rain flooded the track for race day, but I think in the end made for a really exciting, unpredictable event....
For me, I was riding slightly cautious, which is not as much fun. Every round seemed like there were at least 3 un-clippings and slipping somewhere. Saw a lot of people throw it away over some of the off cambre carrot rollers.
I came into this race with a focus on smart riding and successful tactics, but 4x is difficult to predict and this one was out of my hands. Suppose I should have moved over to the inside a bit and held the first turn tighter, but then that opens up the outside high low move, or a rail around turn 1 to be inside for turn two. Tough racing not knowing exactly where everyone is.
Anyway, I got the hole shot from lane 2, Anneke was in lane 1. Held close to the flag, but ended up low for the inside for the next turn. She went inside inside and was a little bit ahead out of turn 1 but on the outside. I keept my speed and the inside, but we locked up going over the roller and both went down. Grrr. I got up in 3rd, but then got sketchy in a flat turn , unclipped went wide, and left room . 4th. Caroline Buchanon 1st, Buhly 2nd, Anneke 3rd, Jill 4th.
Men's racing had an awesome final. Saladini in lane 1, Jared in 2, Roger in 3, and Joost in 4. Jared had the snap, edging out saladini who got bogged a little. Those guys were fighting for that inside and Joost from the outside pulled cedric's high low line, then pinned it to turn 2, launched the slippery roller and overtook Jared right there at the bottom little end of the turn. It was a sweet move!!. Jared had some hard racing all night, some races he was in 4th, almost got landed on in another, passed a bunch. The rain made the racing unpredictable and slippery, which in turn made for closer racing and more reward.
1.joost 2.Jared 3.Roger 4.Saladini