After riding in the Eastern regions end of season team race the weekend before and winning i was confident for my race in Belgium. We travelled to Middelkerke for the Superpresteige Nordzee Cross, where I raced in the Nieuwelingen category. We got there on Friday, and as we pulled up to the course we spotted Zdenek Stybar the World Champ riding the course with Czech team mate Petr Dlask so i quickly jumped on the course behind them. My dad, Kev, and Ivan were at the side of the course and asked Styby to come and sign a few pictures and have a photo. We had a little chat with him which was great and it is amazing to see how normal the World Champion is.
So i carried on riding the course and i really liked it, but i knew it would be hard the next day as it was forecast to rain. The course had 3 sand pits, all of which i was able to ride and a bridge and hurdles in the same straight of the course. Once i had finished riding the course, Kev, Dad, and Ivan washed my bike and i rode back to our accommodation for the night. I got in, showered and put my clothes out to dry before eating a rather large bowl of pasta.
I woke up the next morning feeling a bit rough. I had a sore throat and bit of a cough but nothing too serious. I got my kit on, had brekkie and rode to the course behind our car and went to sign on. The entry was free, and i got a pack which contained passes for 2 mechanics and a soigneur and that really shows how professional even the youth races are there. I did a lap of the course and started warming up on the turbo.
I rode up and down the road a few times to keep my legs spinning before the whistle for gridding was blown. When we were called up, i was 3rd from last as usual. The traffic lights indicated the start of the race and as we hurtled down the road at about 30mph the rider next to me slipped, and veered off across the road nearly taking me and a few others out. I felt great and throughout the first lap i was racing in about 19th place, but then as i got to half way through the second lap it was like somebody let down my tires and i felt completely wrecked. i don't know what it was, but now i feel quite ill so maybe that was it, but it was terrible.
After finishing my race, i got changed and we wandered round the course for the elites race, enjoying bratwurst and frites. But i still felt wrecked and wanted to get back to the car.
Overall it was a brilliant weekend, and i learnt a lot even if it was hard. I've still got another year as an under 16 so hopefully i will come back with a bang and be able to show my potential. Over the summer, i will be competing in a few road races, and primarily the national MTB Series as training for the cross season. I'm aiming to make the squad for the UK School Games in Sheffield this year to represent the Eastern MTB team.
Thank you to everyone who has helped in any way or form for making this season successful, but more importantly fun! Especially Ciclos Uno (www.ciclosuno.com) for providing me with kit, and equipment.
Ciao for now.
