English
After some bad luck in races recently I was left wondering if the long drive to Dalby was going to be worth it. It is a long way to drive for such a short race in any case, but if it ended in a bad race I would have really annoyed. Having made the journey up on Saturday I had enough time for 3 practice laps to try and remember the course. Last year I had my best XC result at Dalby (2nd in Expert category) so while I was hoping to do well I did have a big mileage week in my legs, as my main focus at the moment is the 12/24hrs of Exposure. The practice laps reminded me of how good the course is with loads of nice technical singletrack mixed with tough climbs and very little chance to rest.
I was unsure of what bike to use for the event, as I used my Focus Raven hardtail last year and it seemed that a hardtail was the most popular choice with other riders, but after loving with the new Rocky Mountain Element RSL last weekend I was keen to maximise the amount of time racing it. Geoff Kabush rides the same bike on almost every course, so it can’t be bad at XC!
Ranked 39th of about 55 starters and lining up on the 5th or 6th row again the start was never going to be easy, but one aim I had was to finish above my race number which I thought might be possible. As the gun went the whole field charged away safely, but then came to a grinding halt after less than a minute as the trail narrowed. The first section of singletrack became a procession, with almost no effort required as the pace was so slow. It all changed as the trail headed uphill and then onto a long open stretch where everyone was able to give it full beans! As the lap went on the field slowly started to spread out a little. By the end of the first lap although I didn’t know it at the time I was in the high 30′s position wise.
Going into lap 2 the field had spread out enough that most riders were able to get into their stride. I was feeling comfortable and getting into a nice rhythm. During most of laps 2 and 3 I was riding with Ben Roff and we seemed to be making good progress, passing a few people and closing the gaps on some really good riders ahead. The course was riding really well and I was loving it all, there were certain sections where I seemed to be able to pull time back on riders, especially the rocky downhill after “Worry Gill” where the full suspension was being used to full potential. I was also going well on the long steady climb but struggling on the shorter power climbs. By the end of lap 3 I was up to the mid 30′s, although again had no idea at the time. Back markers were becoming a bit of a problem and a few times I was held up at inappropriate times and lost time on riders ahead.
Lap 4 started quite well and I was within seconds of George Budd and David Beskeen in front. After a while Ross Adams came past, who must have had problems earlier in the race and I jumped on his wheel and stayed with him for as long as possible which got me a gap on Ben behind and really closed the gap on riders in front, although Ross pulled away on one of the shorter climbs. I was pushing hard and although I didn’t have any extra speed in my legs I felt like I could keep the pace going, which would hopefully pay off. It wasn’t until halfway through lap 5 that I caught George Budd ahead and the fun really started! Going up “Jingleby Summit” we were side by side and both giving it everything, both nearing the limits and not willing to give an inch. We had put a big gap on any riders behind and our little battle continued until the end of the lap, although George had got a slight gap.
Starting the 6th and final lap I could hear the commentator call out a long list of riders ahead and I was in 32nd with at least 5 riders within a minute or so. With a top 30 a real possibility I let rip and pushed hard on the first singletrack and managed to nail it. I passed one person on the long grass straight back into arena, roughly 1km into the loop. Another rider was in sight and I caught him on the singletrack and passed him as soon as I could. The next short singletrack I got by another rider, which put me into the top 30. I was feeling great and on a flyer! Down “Worry Gill” I caught Giles Drake and passed him at the bottom and managed to hold the position until after “Medusa’s Drop”. Going into the long agony that is “Jingleby Summit” for the final time Giles came by and I pushed as hard as possible, passing a few more riders in the process and desperately trying to hold the wheels of Giles, George and Ross who were now all battling together just ahead. They were inching away despite me giving it everything but I was putting time into everyone behind. I stayed within sight of the 3 riders to the finish, with George and Ross pulling out a gap over Giles and I finished shortly behind him to take 27th place.
I was over the moon and didn’t even think a top 30 was possible before the start, so to finish where I did after a big training week and be among some really top Elite XC riders is a great boost for me. 27th may not sound all that impressive, but XC racing is by no means my forte and I have done no specific training for it where as everyone else in the race trains for this type of racing. This race was in fact a training session for me – all be it a super tough one!
It has got me thinking what might be possible with a sensible lead up and some serious XC training. I know I will never make it to the upper levels of Elite XC against people like my team mate Lee Williams, but a top 20 might be possible later in the season and is now a goal. But that can all wait, as now the Exposure 12/24 is less than 3 weeks away. I have a big training week this week with a road race next Sunday before the training slowly eases off over a period of 2 weeks to the event. Right now I am unsure weather to try and defend my 24hr solo title or try and win the very first 12hr UK Solo Championship, both are also now European title events.
