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And the enduro report:
Tokyo Enduro 2018 Race Report
after saturday's time trial japan
I entered the tokyo enduro
**the course**
lake saiko again
how many laps can you do in 4h?
2 plus riders relay team
1,000 or so riders on the road...
**the strategy**
on the podium 3 years in a row
the plan is
as always
to win it
Yoshida san and his partner has won this race 2 years in a row
outsprinting my team mate Yamada san for 2nd place for 2 years in a row
this year Yamada san is unfortunately out
but I have an almighty replacement
Bandai san!
they don't come any stronger!
the plan is:
Andy 2h
hold good position
Bandai san 2h
finish it off!
**start time**
cold after the TT
I ditch the skinsuit
climb into my winter speedsuit
like tight fitting pajamas!
on the start line Yoshida san finds me a good position
rivals become friends
with the TT finished
I feel relaxed
toasty in my speedsuit
others are shivering
*3,2,1 go!*
after the TT
the pace is easy
my job is to keep in the front group
after 3 laps I lose patience
attack off the front
showboating
at the base of the climb
a familiar oldham accent
"go on Andy!"
TCC'S Mark @leicaman!
talk about a boost!
might as well have it!
hands in the drops
TTing off the front
for a full lap
of course they catch me in the end
time to slot in
that elusive 10th man position
all is going well
but it's heating up
an hour on the clock
each corner
each surge
becomes an interval
I see Bandai san on the home straight
signal I'm okay
but I'm treading water
one lap later
I'm drowning
off the back
the home straight
no sign of Bandai san
crap!
a one lap solo TT
it ain't pretty
the next home straight
Bandai san!
signal 1 more lap
throwing in the towel 30 minutes early
**the changeover**
sorry! sorry!
swap the timing chip
he's 2 minutes down
no time for honesty
「they're 10 seconds up the road!」
give him a push
the bull at the gate
**the catch**
I watch with amazement
lap after lap
he closes the gap
riders jump on his shirt tails
the Bandai express!
with an hour to go
he's in a lead group of 4
Yoshida san is there
gives him a bottle
rivals and friends
shouting from the side
「you're the top」「4 riders」「4 more laps」「3 more」...
the crowd gathers at the finish line for the inevitable sprint finish
my money is on Bandai san
but somehow
somewhere
Yoshida san escapes off the front
a solo finish!
chapeau!
win number 3!
2nd again!
without Bandai san we wouldn't be close
thank you so much
let's keep the training and racing going
yoroshku jyonnobi!
Tokyo Enduro 2018 Race Report
after saturday's time trial japan
I entered the tokyo enduro
**the course**
lake saiko again
how many laps can you do in 4h?
2 plus riders relay team
1,000 or so riders on the road...
**the strategy**
on the podium 3 years in a row
the plan is
as always
to win it
Yoshida san and his partner has won this race 2 years in a row
outsprinting my team mate Yamada san for 2nd place for 2 years in a row
this year Yamada san is unfortunately out
but I have an almighty replacement
Bandai san!
they don't come any stronger!
the plan is:
Andy 2h
hold good position
Bandai san 2h
finish it off!
**start time**
cold after the TT
I ditch the skinsuit
climb into my winter speedsuit
like tight fitting pajamas!
on the start line Yoshida san finds me a good position
rivals become friends
with the TT finished
I feel relaxed
toasty in my speedsuit
others are shivering
*3,2,1 go!*
after the TT
the pace is easy
my job is to keep in the front group
after 3 laps I lose patience
attack off the front
showboating
at the base of the climb
a familiar oldham accent
"go on Andy!"
TCC'S Mark @leicaman!
talk about a boost!
might as well have it!
hands in the drops
TTing off the front
for a full lap
of course they catch me in the end
time to slot in
that elusive 10th man position
all is going well
but it's heating up
an hour on the clock
each corner
each surge
becomes an interval
I see Bandai san on the home straight
signal I'm okay
but I'm treading water
one lap later
I'm drowning
off the back
the home straight
no sign of Bandai san
crap!
a one lap solo TT
it ain't pretty
the next home straight
Bandai san!
signal 1 more lap
throwing in the towel 30 minutes early
**the changeover**
sorry! sorry!
swap the timing chip
he's 2 minutes down
no time for honesty
「they're 10 seconds up the road!」
give him a push
the bull at the gate
**the catch**
I watch with amazement
lap after lap
he closes the gap
riders jump on his shirt tails
the Bandai express!
with an hour to go
he's in a lead group of 4
Yoshida san is there
gives him a bottle
rivals and friends
shouting from the side
「you're the top」「4 riders」「4 more laps」「3 more」...
the crowd gathers at the finish line for the inevitable sprint finish
my money is on Bandai san
but somehow
somewhere
Yoshida san escapes off the front
a solo finish!
chapeau!
win number 3!
2nd again!
without Bandai san we wouldn't be close
thank you so much
let's keep the training and racing going
yoroshku jyonnobi!