A little bit of luck goes a long way

The Roskilde World Championships circuit hosted the men's and women's tandem races this afternoon.  As predicted, the narrow and technical circuit proved challenging for the longer two wheeled machines, with several bikes coming to grief.

On one such occasion the victims of the misfortune were one of the American pairs in the women's race.  They suffered a front wheel puncture on one of the sharper corners of the circuit on lap 4 of 5 and had no hope of staying upright.  Brandie and Kerry were right behind them on the road and narrowly avoided kissing the bitumen with the Americans.  Rumour has it that Kerry has a future in any sport requiring the ability to change direction rapidly - she managed to muscle the Australian tandem out of harm's way and keep her and Brandie in the race. 

Unfortunately the interference with forward motion just as they were about to climb a small rise saw them lose contact with the main bunch, which at the same time, launched a series of attacks which effectively put paid to our girls' chances of regaining contact and being in a position to contest the final sprint. Still, better to be upright and finish the race off the pace than to be spending the night and ensuing days nursing road rash!

Kerry and Brandie getting involved in the action on lap 1 of the tandem road race

Of the other Australians in action this afternoon, Carol Cooke again added a silver medal to the team's tally in her trike road race, beaten by the same Canadian who won the time trial.

By my reckoning, Australia finished the 2011 World Road Para Cycling Championships with three gold medals and four silver medals.  Chinese Taipei produced its best ever result at Para Championships, with a 6th and a 4th.  Yes, OK, this is the first time, but congratulations to Jing for acquitting herself with great dedication and persistence.

Tomorrow everyone will enjoy some free time before flying out for Australia on Tuesday morning, another Worlds done and dusted.