August Recap

This month was the final lead up to the World Championships, and my final Junior World Series races out in Switzerland and France.

My first race of the month was the Basel Junior World Series in the Swiss Bike Cup. The course was super flat with one hard, steep climb halfway through the lap and a tight, fun descent. While the course had plenty of wide-open sections for overtaking, everyone was trying to position themselves in the same place, making for super close racing and challenging overtakes. This is one of the fastest XC races there is at circa 26kph. 

I was gridded on the front row but moved back into the group during the start loop. As we came into the first lap, I was caught behind a crash that blocked the whole course at a pinch point just before the climb. This meant I spent the next few laps chasing down the lead group, only making it back at the start of the final lap. As this was my first crit like xc race with such a high average pace, I frustratingly made a tactical error, leaving me at the back of the group. I sat stuck behind riders on the singletrack before attacking and overtaking as the climb opened over the top. On the last half lap, I chased the pair ahead but couldn’t challenge them in the sprint and came in for 8th.

We then moved across to Les Menuires for my second Junior World Series in the Coupe De France. The course was super tough with six- and three-minute climbs, and the altitude peaking over 2000m. The descents were quite simple with berms and grass corners, except for a wooded section right at the end of the course which combined short climbs and descents. 

I was gridded on the front row again and quickly moved into the lead group, sitting comfortably for the first three quarters of the climb until the altitude hit.  As it was only my second ever race at altitude, I wasn't sure how my body would handle it, and I found it really hard, and my position dropped significantly over the next few laps. On the penultimate lap my position began to stabilise. I felt strongest in the final wooded section where the climbs were short enough for the altitude to have less effect and where I could recover. On the final lap I attacked the riders I was with in the woods and managed to drop them and finished 64th. While the result was far from my aim, I know the performance was heavily affected by altitude and it was an important chance to learn how to manage it for next time. 

Overall, this month has been about learning from two very different races. Basel helped highlight tactical errors in tight, fast racing, while Les Menuires highlighted how altitude effects both my body and performance. Both races gave me valuable experience as I head towards the World Championships. 

A huge thank you to the Scotia Offroad Race Team (SORT), Pedal Potential, and my parents for their continued support!