Not really sure how to start this race report. I'll start with the result and work backwards. So I placed third. On the podium. First time on the podium at cycl0-cross nationals. Huge thanks to my coach Steve Weller. Massive thanks to Marc for all of his patience with training and mental counseling. Huge props to my team mate Steve Proulx for teaching me how to ride over a curb and for being a wonderful calming influence. Thanks to Vince Caceres of the The Cyclery for his support with the Stevens bikes, Shimano shoes, Giro helmet, and team clothing.
Now about the race. Small field. Only eight women on the start line. I had my typical slowish start (caught my skinsuit again...). But managed to close a decent gap and was sitting in fourth place. Chaos broke out in the sand pit with crash mania. Dropped back a few spots. Got frustrated. More chaos in the pit. Attacked through the pit. Sitting in third. Then fourth. Tried to get the other girl to work with me. Didn't happen - instead she attacked me. So I repaid the favor and attacked her hard and repeatedly. Now in third place. Kept hitting it where I could. Was closing on second place. But ran out of time. Finished 44 seconds out of first place.
As most of you know my goal was to win this race. I really wanted to win. I didn't. But I rode well. Learned a few lessons during the race. that will only make me race better. Need to work on my starts and more importantly how to effectively recover from a poor start.
I had a lot of fun this weekend. Racing was good. Hanging out with the team was a blast. Manning the pits for Steve and Marc was great. Even better since neither had a mechanical!
The elite races were super exciting.
Good times were had in Kamloops. Thanks to the race organizers for such an interesting race course. Who says you need big hills for a cyclo-cross race?
I hope to have some pictures to post soon. Thanks for reading. Have a good one. See you in Kanata on Sunday.
Comments