Well, this was certainly more of a shock to the system than I expected for my first National cross race back but it definately made me realise that I am not quite dialled back into cross racing yet. Gridded on the last row, I left myself a bike length or two behind the last row to give myself a run at getting through the crowd of 60+ riders. This seemed to work pretty well i'd say as I managed to get myself into around the top 30 by the first corner, but this effort took its toll and as we turned onto the next straight, into a headwind I tired and lost places quickly. I spent most of the first lap trying to hang on to as many wheels as I could, in such windy conditions it was vital to stay out of the wind as much as possible.
Once the race had settled down 2 or 3 laps later, I found myself yo-yo ing with a group of about 8 riders, never really being able to get into the group comfortably I spent the race chasing it and passing the riders that were dropped from it. This was probably more difficult than working within the group but I struggled to settle and in so doing, made it harder for myself. I finished the race in 42nd, minutes behind where I aim to be come January time but with a poor grid position and lack of true race fitness it was never going to be an easy task. I am sure those minutes will become seconds as my training increases yet again in December, and I look forward to getting closer and closer to the front of the bike race in my remaining races this cyclo-cross season.
This weekends race is the Regional Championships in Welwyn, where I am hoping to show further improvement and get myself a decent result. I'm looking forward to seeing how my form is coming along after some good 'sensations' midweek.
Check out this link for pictures from the National Trophy at the weekend: http://www.flickr.com/photos/britishcyclingphotos/6414866551/in/set-72157628181334827/
Thanks
Taylor
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