So since my last post; my life has got progressively quieter at just about the same rate that my college workload has got heavier. Probably just coincidence...
Well, now all that is left for me to do in terms of college is sign out for my first year. That's a relief, the amount of work we were thrown in the last few weeks was really having an effect on my ability to train properly, and I know that the general consensus is that education take priority over a sport... But I am 16 after all?
Cycling-wise the last few months has been up and down. But I'll write mostly about the ups, naturally. I returned to Majorca for another weeks training with my Teams sponsors Pollensa Cycling Amigos, which was a massive step up from my last visit there as I knew what to expect and how to set out my week (with help of my coach- Mark Walker!). I enjoyed it, and I loved the climbs out there, most notably the Puig Major. Those climbs suit me to the ground, I can get into a rhythm and keep the pedals turning, but the chances of finding a 14km climb in Britain quite like that are pretty slim. I can only hope I'm wearing my Quest Sportswear Pro Mesh jersey when they find that climb.
I spent the week with Ciclos Uno star mechanic Ewan Hendon, and the man himself- Dan Kogan. Dan has raced for top British teams and spent time in France mixing it up with the big boys, so he wasn't a bad training partner for the week by any means. Although the weather was probably worse than that in Britain, we still had a good laugh, and as per usual: i really bloody miss Majorca. Uno Cafe con leche and a Normatec recovery system supplied by Neon Velo por favor.
I travelled to Belgian recently too for my first Junior road race abroad. Well my first proper Junior road race at all really! The race was an 85km closed circuit race around a 7km circuit in and out of a seafront town called Bredene. Bredene is a pretty sentimental place for me, the finish of the road race was on the same stretch of road as the finish of the Versluys cyclocross where I finished 2nd in 2012 (http://seandunlearacing.blogspot.co.uk/2012_01_01_archive.html). I didn't really know what to expect to be honest, apart from agonising pain and crashes. They were both consistent throughout the 2 hour race.
We started off in a neutralised zone. The first crash was literally about 300 meters in, and it was a rider who was probably the Belgian version of a chopper. He was being bit of Jack the Lad looking back at a camera and he ended up face first on a motorway, but I'm sure he's glad to know the camera was still looking and got a great shot. He looks fantastic in the photo, see for yourself:
So anyway, the pace kept going up then down, then up again and down again, so I just kept a constant speed and found myself inbetween the peloton, and a two man breakaway. Yes, my first ever junior road race, in Belgium, and I made a solo breakaway. Some may say I am a 'nutter'. Surprisingly I bridged the gap to the leaders on my own and we were joined by two more shortly after. I spent about 30km in the lead group, and got a preme. I dropped back to the bunch though as I was aware there was still 40km left, and there was a slim chance of me finishing if I'd tried to keep with them. I ended up rolling over in 27th, after a hard and rewarding day in the saddle. I got back home that night and got straight into my Normatec Recovery Pants supplied to me by Neon Velo in hope of being able to train, or even walk the next day. I trained the next day, hard, thanks to the Normtecs. For those interested in Strava, here's the race data: http://app.strava.com/activities/57740979
So now I have one thing on my mind which is of course the cyclocross season, and my Coach Mark Walker has got me his best torture training plan! I'm hoping to make up for disappointment in the form of illness and injury that I had last season, and do some good rides come this winter. I'm lucky to have the support of some great sponsors keeping me going on my quest for success and to be the best and beat the rest (Utilising GCSE poetry skills in hope that Mrs Crickmore may stumble upon this). Quest Sportswear, my team and personal kit sponsor should have something interesting regarding myself coming soon so be sure to keep an eye on them (see links to the right!) and Neon Velo should also have something cool coming to an internet near you...
On the subject of sponsors, I'm also very pleased to announce my latest sponsorship from Forgoodness Shakes and Nectar Fuel who will be helping me recover and fuel myself during racing and training! I've been using these products for a long while so to have their support is great, and I look forward to working with them for the foreseeable future!
So now I must leave you all, in a rather literal sense seeing as I'm off to Zurich, Switzerland in 6 days to train and see my best euro bro Johan Jacobs!
Mention for my good mate Alex Dowsett who won the National Time Trial Championships on Thursday despite being battered and bruised. Nicely done Alejandro.
Mention for my good mate Alex Dowsett who won the National Time Trial Championships on Thursday despite being battered and bruised. Nicely done Alejandro.
Thanks for reading, and please do be sure to follow me on Twitter and share this blog. Each follow and share helps a young cyclocross rider, and it's free (that's the best part).
Tot ziens.
