Another win!

I went crazy the other night and had a Nandos with my new college buddies. Toffee frozen yogurt and Coke isn't that great FYI.

I'm going to start this post a bit differently to normal, upon request of Mrs Wyman... 

Since my my last post about my first race and first win of the season, a lot has happened! I started at Writtle College, studying Sport, Fitness, and Development, I went on a bloomin' tough training weekend in Derbyshire, and I've won another race... As well as seeing my first real 'Cat Lady' on one of my rides into college every morning. 

Riding into college has opened my eyes to a lot of things really, as well as opening up my legs for a lot more abuse in the evenings. I've realised how peaceful it can be early in the morning, how much the cold air wakes you up... And how people *love* to stop and chat with each other in ludicrously stupid places like footbridges, gateways, and yep; bike paths. On a different note altogether, the 'cross season is here, which means I won't be able to go out to parties, or pretty much any other social event that occurs in the evenings leading up to races. I don't think they understand why I'm missing said events in order to ride (hopefully fast) around cold, muddy fields. But that's commitment I guess, and it sorts the real cyclists from the weekend warriors. 

I'm struggling with writing about my life, sorry Helen. So here's my take on my last couple of races:

On the 15th I did the opening round of the Wessex league. The course was hard and the heat was unrelenting. There were some pretty good riders there in my race, Matt Hargroves and a few of his team-mates, so I was hoping to do a good ride to get a look at where abouts I am in terms of national junior levels. I was gridded 2nd row, pretty good considering I'm a completely unranked rider in the Wessex league. 

Seeing as it was still early season I wasn't expecting fireworks, but to say I rode sh..Crap is an understatement. After the re-start (which occurred after the start loop was a bit hard to follow), I got into about 4th, and steadily worked my way back to 9th overall by the end of the race. I had a couple of lie downs on the course, and my legs felt unusable. I finished in 9th senior, and 4th junior, which wasn't really too bad I suppose!

The day after (16th), was my home race at Springfield park. Literally within 500 meters of my house. I know that because it's so close, that my strava record of my training lap won't show up correctly because it was within my 500 meter privacy zone. The course there suits me anyway, it's so euro in the way it's all watchable from one point, and it's FAST. The three sets of stairs a lap adds to list of good things to say about this course (Which my team, Ciclos Uno pioneered in 2007).

I got front row gridding, and from the gun I was in the top 3 with Tim Guy (Iceni Velo) and Canadian Hayden Wood. For the first 15 minutes of the race it was all so compact, the first 10 riders were all strung out in a line, so we put the power on and narrowed it down to us 3 leading, with Paul Sheers (ViCiOUS VELO) dangling on to the back of us. About midway through the race, Tim made a huge effort and put a gap between us and Paul which would grow to over a minute by the end of the race. 

In the final 200 meters or so of the last lap, I let Haydens and Tims attacks go, and rolled over the line as third placed Senior rider, and first Junior, 14 seconds down on the Hayden, who won. Felt pretty chuffed with myself. 

I've got a pretty busy couple of months coming up, Superprestiges, National Series, Rapha Supercrosses, and hopefully European Championships. As per usual, thanks to Trevor, Ewan and Jane at Ciclos Uno, and Windwave for the support, which I couldn't do without! 

A bien tot.

(See 'Media' page)

First year, first race, first win.

Yesterday was my first race of the 2012/2013 'cross season. This season I've moved up an age category into the Junior U18 category, which opens up so many opportunities like national selection, UCI points and so on. I was pretty nervous going into the race yesterday as mainly it was my first race back, but also because I'd be the youngest in the race once again, as the Eastern League puts Juniors in with the Seniors. I was also pretty cautious about another Junior rider, a second year, Cameron Toms, as he'd beaten me when we raced together in the U16 category a couple of years ago. 

The course was tough, unrelenting with the number of short, sharp hills that it featured; not exactly a cross course but hard nonetheless. When the gridding was called, the first row was filled with the normal big hitters of the league, one being Cameron. I was awaiting my gridding, before being told that as I'm a first year I wouldn't be gridded, and must start at the back, surprisingly.

From the start I was hell bent on getting to the front of the race, which I did so surprisingly quickly and smoothly. I got into about 9th/10th place overall, with Cameron in my sights and made a swift effort to get on to his wheel. I recovered a bit before attacking again, and getting away from him and the remainder of the group, putting me in about 6th place. On the third lap i suffered a puncture, an impressive one at that, but thankfully didn't lose much time. After retrieving my new bike I settled in with a few remaining riders from a previous group, which soon whittled itself down so it was only me and Paul Sheers of ViCiOUS VELO. 

On the last lap I made an attack and managed to stay away from Paul to take 7th place in the Seniors race, and to win the Juniors race. 

Until mid October, my race schedule looks like this;-

16/09/12 - Eastern League 2, Springfield Chelmsford

29/09/12 - Eastern League 3, Ashwell

07/10/12 - Superprestige 1, Ruddervoorde, Belgium

14/10/12 - British National Series 1, Abergavenny, Wales

Thanks to Ciclos Uno and Windwave for their support.

Ciao.

July Update

Since my last post, I've finished my GCSEs and finished school, which shows how long it's been since I've written a post on here!

I've tallied 4 wins in the Eastern MTB series since my last post, including the East of England championships and the overall of the Eastern MTB series, grabbed a third place in my only road crit of the year, and managed a couple of wins at the Beastway MTB series which i use as part of a weeks training. 

Ixworth, like all other road races I've done this year was held in pouring rain. From the gun, i settled into second with two other riders, unable to challenge my rival, and friend, Cam Woolsey for the win. After riding somewhat cautiously on the slippery circuit, it came down to a sprint between our group of 3, in which i finished second, placing me third overall. 

I did one other road race at Hog Hill, where i placed 7th on the end of a 3 week training block, and on a circuit that doesn't favor me particularly.

                                   

 I've done the Beastway series to compliment my training, and unfortunately the series will not run next year due to complications for the Structureless Tyranny who give up most of their lives to organise the events! All i can say is a big thank you for the last decade and a half of quality Wednesday night racing they've provided for us!

I featured on UKCycleSport for a mini interview and feature on my Colnago Mountain Bike which can be found here, which compliments my previous interview and feature with them very nicely!

Things are relatively quiet, but for me now, the hard work has begun to prepare for the coming Cyclo Cross season, starting in mid September. As per usual, a big thanks to:

Windwave

Ciclos Uno

Quest Sportswear

À bientôt 

3 months on!

Its been nearly 3 months since I broke my finger, and was ruled out of what was left of the cross season for 2011/2012.

Since then, I've just been riding with rage from missing what would have been a great end to the season! Lots of Blue Egg rides, and lots of turbo. I managed to fit in the last of the Maldon winter series cross race mid february, and got a final win before hanging up the cross bike for good.

On the 17th of March I went to Hog Hill for my first real race back since the 7th of Janruary, on the road. I got a great start, suffering a bit as I was undergeared, but it was going well until I punctured my rear wheel at the foot of the Hoggenberg climb. 

I walked back up to the top, and the Dad of my team mate Ed bird kindly gave me a wheel to use to carry on. I jumped back into the group, and I attacked, forming a breakaway with 4 other riders; Joe Fry, Calum Anderton, Louis Magnani and Louis Modell.  

Unfortunately i just didn't have enough gears to ride properly, so i was forced to pull out. 

In the last week and a half, I managed to catch a virus so have been bed bound, apart from making the dull trek to school for a French speaking exam, and to a College interview. I raced the first round of the Mud Sweat and Gears MTB series at Tunstall forest in Suffolk on my new Colnago Rock MTB, getting a pleasing 2nd place after a race long battle with Ru Phelan of VC Revolution. I felt a bit powerless however after not being on the bike at all for a week, but I'll work my way back to fitness!

As usual, a massive thanks to Ciclos Uno and Windwave for keeping me going all the time. Hopefully I'll be able to pull my finger out for a win at the next round of the MSG mountain bike series!

2 more wins, 2nd in Belgie, 4th in the nats and a broken finger.

I've been slacking recently, but since my last blog post I've had 2 wins, a second place in Belgium and a disappointing 4th in National Championships...

I'm super happy with second in Belgium and i had hit form just at the right time. I really thought i could get a podium at the nationals! Second place was a rider from Switzerland, Johan Jacobs so the competition was high! There were two sand pits, one rideable for me and lots of fast corners and a few steep run ups. 

I'm not sure what went wrong at the Nationals... I just didn't feel strong. I had a good start but missed the crucial attack and was in a group racing for 3rd. I was set to get a podium until i overshot a corner two laps to go and had to unravel myself from the orange netting. I'm still happy with 4th though, but it's what could have been that gets me. 

SO! Here is my end of year round up, i try to cover everything!

Most Exciting Race

Easily the Bradford National Trophy, riding in second place with a gap for the first time in my life was exhilarating! Shame it had to end the way it did.


Worst Race

National Championships, my body didn't feel right and i didn't enjoy it. Plus i was so close to that long awaited podium...


Most annoying

Bradford National... Snapped my rear mech on the last lap whilst in second. If i hadn't of had that incident i would have had my first National podium. Cried like a little girl after that.


Best bit of Kit 1

Colnago Prestige bike for sure! Windwave were kind enough to supply me with two of these amazing bits of kit. So stiff, and handle like a dream. After riding one of those, i don't think anything else would feel good enough.



Best bit of Kit 2

FFWD wheelsets. I used 2 different dugast treads on FFWD wheels this season and they are amazing. Stiff, light and indestructible. Perfect for cross.


Favourite moment

Stepping onto the second step of the podium in Belgium. Massive crowds watching, cameras flashing, TV cameras pointing, podium girls kissing, flower holding... Perfect.


Worst 
Breaking my finger at school the Wednesday after the Nationals. The break is right across the joint and has left my middle finger on my left hand in a plastic thing 24/7 for at least 6 more weeks. It ended my season, which included one more national where i know i would have been on the podium and two more races in Belgium. Not cool, finger.

Looking forward to next season

Hopefully gaining selection for the Euro Champs in Ipswich. It'll be hard as a first year, but it's where i want be, representing GB. I know i can do it, and i won't let anything get in my way. 

Favourite Picture

So as i sit here feeling sorry for myself and reflecting on the season, i know i couldn't have been 1/47th as good without the invaluable help of the following people:

-Ciclos Uno
-Ewan Hendon the mechanic God

-Colnago/Windwave

-Mum, Dad and Ciara.
-James (and George) Whatling

-Jake and Steve Poole

-Helen and Stefan Wyman

- Ivan Burch and family.

-Mark Burch

-Mark Walker

-Kevin Barker

-Roger Barker

-Sparky

Thank you all, and good night.