This would be my first XC race in elite since I competed in the British National XC champs in 2008, where I narrowly managed to avoid being lapped by Liam Killeen (my personal goal for the day). Since then I have raced mainly in age-related categories, masters in the UK, H30 in Sweden, and Herre B in Denmark, although in Denmark we are mixed with the 'Expert' riders. With the rule in Sweden that one can change licence once in a year, I decided to move it up a step in terms of racing/training and apply for my Elite licence for 2015. Having won Herre B in the Danish series and H30 in the Swedish series, I thought it would help my development before this years big goals - Swedish Nationals in H30 (or British again depending on citizenship status) followed by the World Masters Champs in Andorra. Requiring a change of licence before the nationals, obviously.
I thought that the step up would be tough, and having only raced once so far this year, I knew this race would be hard. What I didn't know, was how hard! The pace was frantic from the start, with elbows out riding from all the Elites, plus all the Juniors who started with us but only rode 5 laps to our 7. The whole of the first lap I felt like I was clinging on with my eyebrows to not be spat out the back of a peloton akin to a rider in the Tour who has been in a breakaway all day and the hungry sprint pack catch up with 10km to go. The usual feeling of the pace settling after a lap didn't come either. People around me were still standing and sprinting out of corners on lap 3, with me flailing behind and having to catch up again in the singletrack. I remember thinking to myself several times how strong these guys were. Having been pushed out on corners a few times on the first lap, I also started to gain ground and pass people, and became more aggressive also.
Lesson no. 1, sharpen elbows ready for round 2.
The swap to a Small frame size for this year from the Medium of last turns out to have been a good decision. The bike felt more agile and responsive underneath me when compared to last year. Having only ridden the bike for the first time during practice on Saturday, it did still take some time to get used to. But after two laps I found my flow and was able to push harder into corners. Lesson no. 2, I don't know better than the manufacturers when it comes to frame sizing.
The race continued at a blistering pace, and I started to feel better until my 5th lap when the legs started to feel tired. But no cramp was present which was a nice surprise so early in the season. The most fun part of this race was the fact that I was fighting with people the whole time, from start to finish. Not riding around alone for most of the race. I smiled a lot, and even had time to laugh to myself as people at the side of the track dived out of the way of a riders flailing leg in a descent. 'This is racing, I'm enjoying myself!'. The top riders in the category are obviously a world apart from me, them being professionals who are able to train ridiculously long hours on the bike, something I cannot compete with. I was reminded of this 'light-year' gap as I came round to start my 6th lap, but was not allowed to continue due to the 80% rule. A little disappointment flooded with adrenalin had me eye-balling the official and asking rudely what the 80% rule was anyway before I realised how close the leaders were to lapping me. Only a minute I think.
Lesson no. 3, need to train more.
Lessons learned, fun had. On to the next race - Varbergs MTB race next weekend. Will be good to catch up with the Swedish race boys.
A huge thank you to all our sponsors, but this time especially Magnus at Bikeitaly who stayed at the shop rather late with me to build my bike on the Thursday evening before the race.
Anton was also at the race and competed in the Junior class, starting just behind the Elites. I will let him tell his story himself.
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