Waiting in the start box of this year's second World Cup race I decided that, despite the grey clouds looming overhead, it'd have to tip it down to alter the race track significantly. Famous last thoughts indeed for, after a couple of dry laps to warm us up, the heavens opened and, lap by lap, the course became increasingly more treacherous just as our bodies were becoming increasingly fatigued. This, I am sure, delighted spectators as I am sure we'll all admit to enjoying the spectacle of bodies being thrown down impossibly steep and rooty descents. Whatever the outcome riders' exploits always drew a massive cheer with some gasps mixed in. The combination of Euro Rock and muddy bike racing seemed to be well worth getting the umbrella and wellies out for.
And so the race turned into something of an epic. Personally I favoured these conditions over the heat and humidity of the previous days…. typical Brit weather really. The course was another fantastic example of how courses can be built. While it featured no very long climbs it did require a constant effort and the technical sections were simply really good fun. The key spectator points were four steep drops of about 30feet where it was a case of dropping off the edge and keeping any thoughts of braking at bay until you'd reached the bottom. Somewhat surprisingly, these drops didn't become any harder in the wet, perhaps because we all knew to exercise caution at these key points. Instead it was other less threatening parts of the course that reached out and grabbed you when you least expected it.
I was pretty fearless on the technical stuff and this meant that, by the final lap and getting pretty tired, when I did hit the deck I hit it hard. Still, nothing hurts during a race (only later on the long drive back to the UK) so I bounced back pretty quickly. The race itself was a definite improvement on the first round in Houffalise. After the usual carnage of the start loops where I was held up by a crash on a climb (that's World Cup racing for you!) I got into my rhythm and made good progress throughout the race, riding amongst some very good riders. I relished the conditions, which helped keep me motivated and happy. Unfortunately my final lap was not such a good one, a crash over another rider leaving me with very muddy hands that hampered my gear changing and even made keeping hold of the bars a challenge. I think that I lost about 5 or 6 places on that final circuit leaving me with a final finish of 50th. With over 120 starters I was not unhappy with this result but I also know that I can ride a lot faster than that and so I look forward to the next World Cup in Champery in two week's time to improve some more.
Before that is Margam Park and the third Trek National Series race. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us as I would rather not have to rebuild my bike twice in two weeks. However, looking outside at this moment I'd predict that the mud tyres may be brought out for that one. Margam offers a great course for both the cross country and the marathon so it is well worth trying to get there as it promises a great weekend of racing in the hills.
See you there, Jenny
Kris Socha
