English
Since the last racing blog I’ve done a few races, and getting into some form, as planned, for races I am targeting during the season.
The results have included a couple of top 10’s at the local circuit races based at the Mountbatten centre. Two 15th places also, managing to scrape some points! And a few other races where I have really just worked myself into the ground as part of the training.
Last Tuesday saw me out racing with a mission at Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit. I was proudly wearing a memorial jersey for my friend Wouter Weylandt who sadly died during the Giro D’Italia on stage three. The week before I was racing through tears for my friend, every pedal stroke thinking of him.
This week, there I was in my 108 Presente jersey. Quinton from Decca clothing provided this for me knowing how much it means to me. A huge thanks to Quinton and also Olivier for delivering it by hand from Belgium to England! Thanks Guys.
The race was a handicap style race, my group having a 4/5minute penalty over the first group to depart from the start line. My group all worked together to claw back the riders who were given leads of different times out in front of us. Upon catching the majority of the race, the attacks were coming thick and fast. I was making sure I was covering all moves and being part of any groups going off the front of the race. In my eyes, doing the jersey proud.
Then a group of us managed to get away from a chasing bunch. A dozen or so of us. I am never going to fully commit to a breakaway until I am pretty confident it will stay away. So the first half lap I was careful not to ride should it not succeed, allowing me to cover the next breakaway. This breakaway worked. All sharing turns on a windy evening we rode well together, all though riders wanted to disrupt the rhythm of the breakaway by going for the primes on offer every lap over the finish line. With a lap and a half to go, the attacks started. There was a couple of teams with more than one rider in the breakaway.
It was important to be aware of this as they will not help chase any attacks by their team-mates. I was trying my best to cover the moves, but hesitated slightly with a third of a lap to go. Wanting other riders to chase when a move snuck away from us, no such luck they didn’t chase. It was fragmented coming into the finish, everyman for himself nearly. I didn’t want to tow the two riders I found myself with, upto the others ahead. So I sat behind them, preparing for my trio’s sprint for 9th place upwards. Secretly hoping it would all come together for a sprint from the original breakaway group. Sadly it didn’t. I hit the pedals hard as soon as we left the final chicane into the finishing straight. Taking 9th place, and getting some prime points along the way too. Satisfied with that, but also knowing I could of done better. I raced for Wouter with a jersey for him and know he would of like the way it went.
Photos kindly provided by Sharon Reynolds, Glyn Durant & Jason Ginn
