Wulong Mountain Quest
Picking up the Pace in the Prologue
Rob Howard / 20.09.2009
The poor weather didn't put off the crowds who thronged the streets all around the course, waiting to see the race pass by, although with the roads and bridges closed there was nowhere much else to go! The coaches arrived with their police escort and teams quickly checked their bikes before the start, which was set back 15 minutes. The Turkish team 'Touareg Turk Salomon' had to bring their bikes down to the start with them as they'd only arrived at 1.00am in the morning.
When the start gun was fired the racers headed down the main street towards the town's main road bridge, then crossed and looped back to re-cross the river on the foot bridge beside the start/finish area. Team WinterXtrem5.com lead from the start, and it was a lead they didn't relinquish, although the pursuing teams were always no more than a wheel length or stride behind.
The teams very quickly spread out and those at the back were finding the pace impossible to manage. Even by the end of the first 3km run several were walking back into transition.
The 4km ride took teams through the town to the start of the rafting, and Mikael Lindnord of Explore Sweden said, "It's like riding in the Tour de France, there are so many crowds it is even hard to see where the road goes and we are not used to this in adventure racing!" Salomon Crested Butte of the USA, who were contesting the podium places with Nike Beaver Creek and Toread Adventure Sport, had opted for slick tyres to give them that extra few seconds advantage, which could make all the difference in such a short race.
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