Season starts here!

So i have had my two week 'Rest period' and have started preparing for my 2011/2012 cross season!

From the season gone, i have learnt so much that i can use to help me train, race, and prepare better. The 4 races i did in Belgium have given an unbelievable amount of confidence and also something to aspire to. Not being lapped by Mathieu Van Der Poel, Dutch second year champion, and son of the legend Adrie has to be a highlight. I know exactly where i want to be next season and that place is the top! Hopefully i will use what i have learnt successfully!

Most Exciting Race


In my opinion, it would have to be the CC Ashwell Eastern league race where i was leading with Josh Parkin and long time rival, and friend Alan Trolove. We were zooming around the fast course unable to shake each other off until the last lap where i finished second to Josh. It reminded me of a early season world cup, with Pauwels, Nys, Stybar and Albert battling it out for the win!

Worst Race


If I'm honest... All of the national races were disastrous for me. I dont know why i went so badly in them at all. It could have been preparation, it could have been the legs etc. I just hope to change that next year. 

Most annoying


The final race of the season; The 'Nordzee cross' Superpresteige in Middelkerke. I was so excited but came down with a cold on friday when we arrived at the venue. From the start i went backwards.

Best bit of Kit 1


The best bit of kit i have would no douby be my Lazer Gensis helmets supplied by www.ciclosuno.com . The Roll-sys retention system is amazing and provides a really snug and secure fit whilst looking great at the same time!


Best bit of Kit 2


Of course my Shimano M310 shoes. These were given to me by a good friend at the national championships and they took my liking immediately. They are offered as custom fit but are fine to use without. The reason i like them is the protection offered like no other manufacturers footwear. The reinforced heels and side help protect you from any bashing about and the grip on the bottom is superb!


Favourite Picture


My favourite picture is no doubt this one from the snowy cross at Broome Heath, Norfolk. 

Favourite moment


This is a hard one but i would have to say finishing 12th in a high prestige Belgian race in Bredene, or in the bar the night before the race at Middelkerke. That was a great night with great company!


Worst 


When i was laying on the icy floor at Koksijde not 10 minutes before my race, in so much pain from what was a suspected dislocated elbow after crashing in the warm up. It was so hard to have to admit to the possibility of missing the race you had built your season around. 

Looking foward to next season


The Koksijde Nieuwelingen race for sure! I want to improve here as it was an amazing experience. This will be my main race of the 2011/2012 season.

Please do contact me via my 'Contact me' page if you wish, thanks for reading.

The Season's Grand Finale in Belgium!

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.