Writtle- First Race, First Win.

Last sunday saw the first round of the eastern cross league only 5 miles from my house at writtle college! I was hoping for a win at this race as it was promoted by my team, PCA Ciclos uno and i helped in the course design. The course was very Belgian with lots of flowing corners but then twisty cambered U turns on mounds which helped break up groups. 

I decided to race despite breaking the scaphoid bone in my wrist at the UK School Games two weekends earlier. I assessed how my wrist felt carefully the day before and felt it would be okay to ride.

From the start i managed to stay clear, and going into the first technical section i saw i had a few bike lengths on second. I could use the first technical section to judge the gap back as on the way out you get a good view of the course. 

Every lap i could see the gap growing significantly which made me strive to go harder! 

I came up to the line and let very cruelly let a couple of back markers do another lap to ensure i had a clear finish photo to show off my sponsor Ciclos Uno's logo on my skinsuit!

Here are a couple of photos by Kevin Barker:

I would like to thank the following people specially:

Trevor Maddern for keeping me kitted out 365 days a year and the amount of support he has given me.

Ewan Hendon for keeping my bike going 365 days a year, the rider is no good without a well run bike!

Ivan Burch, for well... Being Ivan! 

Kevin Barker for the support and photos!

Roger Barker for taking me here there and everywhere and helping me so much!

James Whatling for the support and being my training partner! 

Andy Nichols for helping me with training!

Mark Walker for assisting me with training and arranging the use of the college! 

Mum & Sister Ciara for doing tea and coffee at short notice following a last minute catering problem!

Colnago for the bike.

Finally My dad because without him i would not be riding at all! Cheers mario...

To finish off i raced at the Maldon CC Evening cross race for seniors on tuesday and won, a few photos by Andrew Harper...

Build up to UKSG.

Im sitting here feeling a bit under the weather (Which isnt good given the terrible weather England has) so i've decided to write something! It has been really quiet lately racing wise so in the last month i've raced only once which will hopefully benefit later on in the year. 

24/07- MSG Danbury

This race is a few minutes drive from home so i wanted to get a good result. From the start Josh Parkin took the lead and got a slowly increasing gap on Liam Cowell and I. Me and Liam were stuck together and it was only on the last lap where i managed to shake him from my wheel, i think we both crashed on the last lap as well! 

Photos by Mags Cowell.

I finished only 33 seconds behind Josh which i am pleased with! I spent the rest of the day enjoying the heat seeing as it was uncertain wether or not England would be hot again this year and went and collected my medal at presentation.

Photos by Mags Cowell.

Since Danbury i've just been doing North Weald races. I've been getting top 10 finishes in the sprints which im pleased with as i race amongst E/1/2/3/4. Two out of the three last races i have done there, i have punctured in! 

Now i have received the finished bike for the 2011/2012 cross season.  The bike is great, ride really smooth and the acceleration is amazing! I cant wait to start the season now!

Full Spec on 'My Gear' Page.

A massive thank you to Colnago and Trevor, Jane, Ewan and James at Ciclos Uno!

Thanks for reading!

Margam Park National, Beastway and road.

 Margam Park, Wales. National MTB.

The weather upon arrival in Wales was dismal, rain and not particularly warm. I the amount of rain on Saturday ensured a wet course the next day which was not what i was hoping for but that's racing! Anyway, i set off for a lap with Billy Whenman where i found the conditions challenging. After getting 6th here last year as a juvenile i wanted to do a good ride, however my confidence was low with the first long climb starting about 150m from the start.

On the day of the race it was really warm, and i warmed up well. I was gridded on the third row and had a good line to get up there from the gun. When the gun went i got a really good start and moved into the top 15 or so, until the climb started where i was hanging off the back of 25th place or so. I was really suffering on the climbs but managed to make up some places by the end to finish a disappointing 24th. 

That it for me with national races, except the UK school games in September. Now my focus is going completely to the Cyclocross season!

I have been doing Beastway mountain bike races which are useful as i can judge my fitness, finishing steady seconds to a rider who is a year older than me. I also did a road race last saturday just for fun, where i suffered after being in swanage for a week, and being on tiny gears! Here are a few photos...