ZRL with ZZRC Centaurs

Centaurs – ZRL Points Race – Fine and Sandy (4 laps, 42.7 km, 309.6 m elevation)

Last night was something new for the Centaurs: a full-blown ZRL points race. Four laps of Fine and Sandy, two sprint segments per lap, plus the double punch of the Mech Isle Climb. Points everywhere, pain everywhere.

We were already on the back foot before the start. Iain was side-lined by illness, so we brought in our trusty super sub, The Pigeon (Richard). But then Danny was also unavailable, which left us with just five starters: Kevin, Dom, Llyr, Richard, and yours truly.

The nerves were real. For most of us, this was unfamiliar territory. The race kicked off exactly as expected: fast. Within seconds, I saw a rider drop from the main group. Perfect, I thought—one less rival. Except… it was our own Llyr. Technical issues forced him out almost immediately. Ouch. Down to four.

Dom had expressed some doubts beforehand—something about “only four races in ten years.” Those doubts didn’t last long. He was right up front, rubbing elbows with the leaders like he’d never left. Meanwhile, by the second climb, I was already dangling. I fought hard, nearly got back on… and then lost it on the descent. Six kilometres in and I was cooked, left chasing shadows.

Thankfully, Kevin and Dom were both solidly locked in the front group. Richard was floating a little behind me, but somewhere mid-race he found turbo mode. From 43 seconds down, he clawed back time like a man possessed, finally catching my group just before the final lap. Apparently, Richard just needs 25 km to warm up.

At the sharp end, Kevin and Dom were still thriving. Rumour has it Dom even tried a cheeky attack on the last climb, though the group reeled him back in. Still, both finished brilliantly, with Kevin grabbing a superb 7th place and Dom not far behind in the same front pack.

Richard and I rolled in together about three and a half minutes later, having spent the last laps scooping up riders who’d also fallen out of the bunch.

Official results weren’t yet posted as of writing, but the lessons were clear:

 • Kevin and Dom were made for this kind of chaos.

 • Richard’s real race only begins after 25 km.

 • And me (Roger) ? Forget FAL or FST—just staying in the group is already a full-time job.

How did I feel after the finish, you ask? Let’s just say: absolutely shattered.