So for the past month I’ve done no road racing, the only racing being Salt Ayre for a quick hours blast around the closed circuit there. It’s been nice not travelling all over the place and having steady training rides instead of up at 5.30 on a Sunday morning to race and getting back after 4. The time off has been needed so I can focus on my exams and last Tuesday they finally finished. I think they went ok, but we’ll see come August!!
With exams I’ve still managed to keep a decent amount of training up, about 11 hrs a week, with 14hrs last week, and a nice easy one this week ready for the Junior Tour of Ireland. This is a 6 day stage race, which I competed in last year, but am riding for the team, and not myself so it should be really really good.
Before exams I had a week off for my sister’s Wedding in the Dominican Republic. It was an amazing holiday and a brilliant experience, except for the sunburn which is the worst I have ever got!! I blistered a lot!! With the much needed week off I slowly returned to training in some fantastic weather. We’ve had pretty much solid 20*C for the past 3 weeks with the weather only breaking in the past week, so I’ve really been working on my tan lines.
This week I’ve done 3 crits this week, Salt Ayre I got 2nd, which I was happy with as I was never in too much trouble and felt pretty comfy, the only problem was I knew I could wait for the sprint, but someone clipped off the front and I was gambling on someone else bringing it back. Didn’t quite work, but was about 1om off getting him on the line. It was good team work by me and Callum, he went off the front in the first break while I sat in, following anything looking serious. Then his break came back and the right people got in the break and it stuck Cal did the same for me!
Second race was on Thursday at Preston, I don’t expect a lot, as I’m not brilliant at handling myself in a bunch when things get hectic and missed the break so was in the bunch disrupting any chasing with team mates up the road. This was a really good work out, felt strong and had a massive dig trying to follow a very fast wheel, nearly ran out of tarmac round one of the bends which I was pretty chuffed with on that circuit!!
The next race was probably my favourite, this was at Blackpool and was a good circuit, with a steep climb, still big ring, but with a sharp turn at the top and even some cobbles!! Really enjoyed the race, felt strong every time up the climb and as a team we got 1st, 3rd and 6th. Brilliant. I didn’t attempt the bunch sprint as it was a bit hectic, and the race wasn’t long enough so there were a lot fresh legs, and it was manic. I decided to sit up and to cruise over the line, saving my limbs and bike for Ireland. Thank god I did, there was a crash with around 5 going down, I avoided it easily with no drama. Hope they make a quick recovery.
Tags: Balckpool Crit, Herbalife/wheelbase.co.uk, Junior National Series, Junior Tour of Ireland, Salt Ayre
