A friend of Qwik Kiwi, Brett Grieve is riding in the Tour of Southland for the second time. Brett is an officer in the NZ Army based in Burnham and normally rides for PKF Cycling in the Calder Stewart Elite Cycling Series. We will be publishing a daily interview with Brett after each stage to give you an insight into ‘Life in the Peloton‘.
QK: A big day with a lot of riders in the break. How did the day unfold for you?
BG: Yes it was. Fortunately there was very little wind as it would have blown apart totally like yesterday if so. I was keyed up and ready to ride hard at the start. My position was good and I had one go at going in the break. It didn’t stick, so I backed off and decided to freshen up for five minutes. During that interlude a large group of 15+ riders went off the front. I was surprised that Mike Greers didn’t shut it down straight away as that is a bit too many to chase. They didn’t and ended up on the front all day trying to bring it back. They were not successful in that, hence the change of yellow jersey to Aaron Gate from Creation Signs L&M Ricoh who was in that move.
The chase picked up after about 100km when we were in the hills. I made the peloton split initially but dropped off going through Mataura, as I thought I had a flat tyre. I probably wouldn’t have lasted much longer in that group as they were really pushing it and there were a few more hills to go.
I rode by myself for 5 or 6km but was caught by the gruppetto before the end.
The rest of my team bar one were in the gruppetto also so it was a pretty average day for us.
We all survived though and will finish the tour. It’s been a tough tour so the lads can all be proud of that.
QK: Only a day left to go with an ITT and then the final stage into Invercargill. What is the plan for yourself and the remainder of the ITM team.
BG: Haha! Yeah we really have nothing to ride for other than completion and enjoying the social aspects of it. Riding a tour like this is a great way to meet other riders and share a bit of adversity. It’s a good feeling even though we are out of the results. Warren from E H Ball ITM here in Invercargill has been a great sponsor. He has told us to just go out and enjoy it and we are all appreciative for the opportunity to do that.
QK: All the best for the remaining stages.
A Strava link for Brett’s ride in this stage can be found here:
https://www.strava.com/activities/765216171
Previous episodes of Life in the Peloton can be found here:
https://www.coachray.nz/2016/11/05/life-peloton-tour-southland-stage-five-interview-ayden-toovey/
https://www.coachray.nz/2016/11/05/life-peloton-tour-southland-stage-five-interview-guy-carter/
https://www.coachray.nz/2016/11/03/life-peloton-tour-southland-stage-four-interview-brett-grieve/
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