sIf the plan was to finish in 54 hours and Marko finished in 54h 06min (+1h added for shuttle through Sedona), we can say the goal achieved, right? As expected Matthew Lefthand was a convincing winner with the time of 45h 39min. Congratulations Lefty, well deserved!
Marko started as usually, which is quite fast. He reached Borrego about the time that was planned (4h 42min), but here the trouble started. First the TT bike malfunctioned, so after a few minutes of trying to make it work, we had to get back on the road bike and use the trusty San Marino for the rest of the way. The headwind with the heat of 46*C put his time between Borrego and Brawley among the worst in his RAAM history (only 17,7mph avg for the section that he used to do at 22+mph in the past). That was a bit demoralising, but as the temperatures cooled down, Marko was feeling better again and slowly picked up his pace. After a quick no.2 in Salome, we was back on his bike heading to Congress and Yarnell Climb.
Arizona day was as hot as ever, but Marko managed the heat and climbs quite well. Other than dealing with constant pain in the lest foot and the right heel, he was feeling as well as you can at riding a bike at 40-45*C. Mingus Mountain is still as steep as ever, but Marko managed it well. A quick foot massage at the top and he was on the way down through Jerome and towards Sedona, where the shuttle part awaited. Marko slept like a baby during 40 or 45min of shuttling and enjoyed the part through Flagstaff, but not so much the descent after it, beacuse of strong side wind and the road surface that literally kicked his butt.
The stages to Tuba City and Kayenta were pretty uneventful, other than becoming so cold, that he had to put some winter clothing on. Usually during his solo RAWs marko didn't sleep, but this time because of the RAE coming later, plus Lefty being so far ahead and the 3rd person on the road being so far behind, we stopped to sleep in Kayenta. It was planned and the reservation was made before the race, but the thing is that we planned on arriving around midnight, but did so only at 5AM. Hence, nobody was there at the reception. While Marko set in the car and tried to close his eyes a bit, the crew was trying to find anyone who could help us get the room. Fortunately after some 15min the lady showed up and let us into our room. Marko woke up a bit after 8AM and we continued our journey at 8.40 or so.
For the rest of the race the wind was favourable and Marko was making good times. One more no.2 break before Cortez, the climb towards Durango and a faboulous descent to the Finish line. Marko was happy with his avg speed which was almost identical to his last solo RAW three years prior. If you consider 3+ hours of sleep, he was actually faster than in 2022. Not bad for a 57 year old guy, right?
Now 5 days of rest and the Race across the East is ON!