Originally Posted by
tallmantim
Good to hear an Aussie race report!
Well done on the race. How did the "D Grade" race stack up with your previous experience?
There are fewer divisions in Hong Kong, so I'm either in Open or in 30-39 Age group (with no divisions). Very occasionally there is an Open B race, but it is full of sandbaggers and the up and coming bucks hiding from the big boys.
In the Open I am competing against the best riders, so the the field is pretty much split from the get-go into different ability packs. Even if you are riding well with a group your speed, the fast guys can often lap you after a while and you have to pull out. Many of the good Open guys are over 30, so they regularly enter both events and pound you again anyway!