English
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So with the mountain bike season done and dusted, it was time to get the cyclocross season officially underway with the first round of the British National Trophy in South Shields, where the start list revealed not only the usual strong Brits but also more than a handful of overseas riders. Coming into this event was quite exciting as I normally enter the start of a cyclocross season after some time off where many beers and a little more than your healthy salad are consumed, but this time I was coming into it straight off the mtb season with some good riding in my legs, so I was curious as to how I would do.
Obviously when the cross season is well underway I do have hrs in the legs, but also heavy weights and numerous strength sessions (ready for the mtb season) in them too, so I’ve never really entered a cross race where I’ve been reasonably prepared for it…
We made the long trek north to Newcastle on the Saturday covering 95% of the journey where we checked into our lodge for the night, and after ditching the kids to my parents room for the night I went on to having probably one of the best sleeps I’ve had in around 8 weeks (before the new baby). Up and ready for the action we made our way to Temple Park Centre which was a well facilitated venue to host the opener of the series, with what was a fast flowing grassy course filling the grounds.
2hrs before the start of my race I took the opportunity to pre ride the course between other races and with slight rain overnight the corners were greasy an polished up, but providing you stayed off the racing line the Dugast Rhino Tubs were finding plenty of grip. It was a pleasure riding round on the Focus Mares as it was the first time riding them since having them back from a full service at Wiggle HQ where both bikes had new bottom brackets, headsets, cables, cassettes, chains and pads fitted, leaving my bikes returned to me like new. Oh… and finished off with white Lizard Skins Bar tape so not only did they feel good they look it too!
Lined up 12th on the grid and after the gun I made my way in the first half lap to the front of the race an into a good position amongst the lead group, however, before I knew it was onto the second lap and going backwards. I was flat out and I couldn’t seem to stay with the lead group and pretty soon I was out of the top ten. For the remainder of the race it was nothing other than a complete struggle and the sooner the race would finish the better, even going as far as to getting cramp in my hips while jumping the hurdles… I didn’t feel good. Crossing the line just outside the top ten I strangely felt so out of condition – as though I was coming back off a break with the legs and lungs screaming at me to stop.
I don’t know the reason for the bad performance on the day, but I do know that on a good day there’s no doubt in my mind I’ll be racing for the win at these events, so it’s not all bad. I can only hope that the good day/days come for the next three races though, as Team Wiggle are entered for the Rapha SuperCross Series (15th, 16th & 23rd Oct) where a podium finish overall is our team’s target for the event!
