i`ve been waiting for this frame for 2 months, and my old (now for use in the rain) bike is literally coming apart, it` a 4 year old trek 1000 that has had many many miles put in on it every month.
the race in question is a 160km course over three mountains and lots of hils, it`s not like it`s a crit. in any case, if you can`t pick up and ride any bike to a competent enough level to ensure your and others safety in a race, you shouldn`t be racing in the first place...