Arriving at Frimley I was still on a bit of a high after the surprise podium at my previous race. However, this week it was back to the shorter XCO (Cross Country Olympic) race format. After my warm-up lap it was clear the 3 lap race was going to be done and dusted in about an hour. Quite different to the 6 hour battle of endurance that had seen my recent success.
The course was what we've come to expect at Highlands farm, comprising almost entirely of flowing singletrack. As I said in my last race report for the venue, brilliant fun for a Sunday social, but it can be frustrating when racing, due to the limited opportunities to pass.
So it proved after the first mad 100m dash off the line. We all followed the leader in a long snake for the first 3 or 4 minutes. I could have, and would have liked to go faster, but we were all stuck in a fast moving convoy. Initially I didn't worry too much as everyone was still tight up to the wheel in front, but gradually the frustration grew as gaps started to form in the queue of riders ahead.
A space started to open in front of the rider about 4 ahead of me in the snake. One by one the riders ahead slipped past until finally it was my turn. Trouble was the damage was done, this had spread us out and it was immensely hard and would take a massive amount of effort to close the gaps back down.
In fact I rode 95% of the race stranded in 11th place with the same riders in front and behind. I've well documented my recent run of finishing just outside the top 10, so there was no lack of determination to catch the rider ahead. After 60 minutes the finish line was in sight, but about now my slow twitch muscles and diesel engine were just beginning to warm up! The guy in front had his family along for support and twice each lap they would lean over the tape and cheer him. As we passed them with only a minute or two of the race to go, I was closing in on his wheel. They shouted "Go, go Daddy" and " You've got him covered Rich!" In fact I almost felt bad for them when a few minutes later I saw their eager, expectant faces at the finish line and I was in front!
So 10th place! Not a podium, but it is my first top ten XCO result since I started racing in the Veterans category 3 years ago. Which meant I drove home with a contented smile on my face.
It had been great to race, but I'd also really enjoyed meeting up with familiar faces before and after the racing was done. So now I'm not so sure about sitting out the next XCO race in a couple of weeks as I had originally planned. I had intended to focus on longer rides in preparation for the Brass Monkeys winter series that starts on the 28th November. I'll see how I feel, watch this space.
No comments:
Post a Comment