On October 14th, 2012, Siong Hing raced
the UCI Ipoh King Of Mountain (K.O.M) Simpang Pulai, Maylasia. The huge field of 700 riders in the first 30k
(flats before the climb) made for what Siong said was "an accident waiting
to happen". Sure enough, a few
crashes happened but he was safely at the front and in a very good position
with 3km before the climb.
Unfortunately, right before the climb (just at a point when Siong was
taking a drink), a few of the lead riders swerved to avoid an obstacle that no
one called out. "I managed to dump
the bottle and serve off the road after riding over the tail of the dead
dog. Had to clip on and ride back off
the grass verge to catch up with the riders.
By this time I was about mid-pack and far behind. The race was lost but I was happy to make it
to the safe part of the race."
The Comeback Climb: Siong refocused his attention on regaining
as much as he could and began overtaking many groups of people and was soon in
the 5th or 6th pack. He got in a good
group of a few riders really pushing the pace and bridging one group after
another. "Soon I was quite certain
I was near the front, either 2nd or 3rd pack, as we caught up the the Lead
woman's group. Finally, I linked up with
a few of my teammates as well. Now we are racing again!", he exclaimed.
The last 10k: With about 10km to go, Siong remembered that
there was a 2km steeper climb before a 1km decend, after which the route was
undulating till the final 2 climbs to the finish. (Good to really KNOW the course!). He decided he had to attack here, or he
would end up in a 30+ rider sprint to the finish. He went on to explain "I slowly worked
my way to the front and then gassed it.
Didn't do a stand up and sprint away but just a strong sustained ride
away. Looked back after 30s and .... no one followed?!? Maybe they felt I was
nuts to try to ride off 10km from the end. Took advantage of their indecision
and rode on." Siong was able to
link up with a few riders here and there to work together, but in the end he
attacked, adding that when he looked back he "saw several riders chasing
me but I felt good so I had a fair chance of staying away. I saw 2 riders ahead at the 1km mark and
decided that I should end the day with another pass. I crept up towards the
front rider, unfortunately he saw me and gunned it. So it was down to the
battle of the wills and glad to say, I passed him with 200m to go. Finished just behind another rider but my
race was done and I was as cooked as an over baked potato." He added, "I may not have won but it was
a near perfect race in terms of effort and strategy."
Great Race Siong!
PCG Coach: Karen Mackin
