TD Race Updates

Time for a look at the overall nature of the race, rather than just focussing on the leaders. Indeed, apologies for the almost exclusive focus on the front runners, in particular the front three southbound. Time constraints and the compelling nature of the racing are my excuses (and apologies for overlooking the sterling efforts of ITT-er Dave Bruno, who’s managed to more or less keep pace with the front runners for several days now – chapeau).

So, to everyone else. After all, the defining nature of TD, in my opinion, is that it manages to combine top end racing with an event that, for most of those participating, is as much a challenge to finish as it is to beat others. In this light, TD 11 is proving something of a revelation, with a fairly staggering 72 racers still active out of 89 who started (68 southbound in the grand depart, 15 northbound in the grand depart, and six ITT-ers who started at or around the same time). In previous editions of the event, no more than half the field has finished (even including those relegated).

The most likely reason for this is that the southbound route has had some of its teeth pulled through the re-routes brought about by the vast snow pack. As I mentioned in an earlier post, this doesn’t necessarily make riding the TD this year any less of an undertaking – it’s still an awfully long way – but riders have perhaps had a slightly gentler introduction. In fact, 59 out of 68 southbound racers are still active, with almost all now having made it out of Montana, which has traditionally been the first goal for many would be finishers – only after you’ve done with Big Sky Country can you begin to think of pushing yourself to the finish. Read more »

Northbound.

Sorry it’s taken so long to post a few thoughts about the progress of the northbound racers. I guess the volume of riders and the excitement of the racing southbound – plus all the detours that have had to be factored into account – has stolen most of the race watching time (you almost need three weeks off work just to watch the TD).

Anyway, Paul Attala has established what looks to be – barring major incident – an insurmountable lead in the race to Banff. He’s over BoreasPass– which he says is clear – and now in Steamboat. The speed with which he dispensed with New Mexicowas breathtaking. It’s only a handful of miles shorter than the traditional route through Montanaand on a par in terms of difficulty – certainly in the very north and in the Gila. In the context of this year’s TD, that would lead you to think he’s broken the back of the ride as Montanahas had some of its major difficulties circumvented (though a post on the race discussion forum suggests he’s planning not to take the snow re-routes…). Also, he’s not just heading to the finish, he’s also heading home, being a Fernie resident, which you’d think would provide extra motivation were any needed. Maybe his rivals will hope he’ll get distracted by calling in for a cuppa. Fracnk and Russ were in Comolast I saw, though reports suggested Russ had an injury of some sort (severity unknown).

Rob Colliver, from the UKand riding a southbound ITT (now just into Idaho) knows Paul well and he told me Paul would be a strong contender. He pointed to the fact he’s successfully rowed across the Atlanticand, in what’s becoming a recurring theme for this year’s race in either direction, can get by with very little sleep. It seems he’s not going to tire as he heads into Wyomingtomorrow and starts passing the first southbound riders. Read more »

Racers have just embarked on their sixth day of the Tour Divide, and already significant gaps are beginning to develop between distinct groups of racers. The distance between the front runners, though, remains indecisive – maybe half a day between the front four.

Having established a lead of a few hours, current leader Jefe stopped for around six hours last night a good way past Lima. Back in town, Kurt and Ethan stopped for maybe half an hour longer, though appeared to take a little longer to get rolling again this morning. Clearly the pace hasn’t got to Jefe yet, though the benefits of an extra half hour in Lima for his nearest chasers might be even greater than otherwise if it meant they could eat an extra portion of the fantastic pies at Jan’s café. Good for the soul as well as the body.

More significant, perhaps, was fourth-placed Mike Hall’s little-more-then four hour stop about three hours shy of town. Given how late he rode last night, did he underestimate the distance to Lima, or just push on regardless, safe in the knowledge that a good breakfast was only a short way away?

In 2009, Ray Porter bivvyed in a similar spot and then had to pull out after a near hypothermic night in the worst conditions imaginable (so far he’s making a good fist of this current attempt – go Ray, and don’t pick any more fights with screwdrivers). 24 hours later, Pete Basinger breezed through on the Great Divide race, stopping at Lima only long enough to eat his fill before taking advantage of favourable night-time conditions and maintaining near record-breaking pace. Presumably Mike’s condition resembles that of Pete more than Ray - he got off to an early start this morning, which could well suggest he’s not burnt out yet. Read more »