We are through October and are ankle deep in cyclocross and mud, this month has been action packed with the first three rounds of the National Trophy Series and my first foray into racing abroad with my first big race in Belgium. The month started badly, got much worse before getting gradually improving.
The month started at Gypsies Green for R1 of the National Trophy Series. I was gridded on the first row but after I pulled my pedal, I was chasing to catch back up finishing 12th. The course was very twisty and despite the rain the previous day was mostly grippy apart from one off-camber. The course had more flowing sections, and a new longer deeper sand pit so was an improvement on the previous year, but they had removed the hurdles. I think I might have been coming down with a bit of illness because I struggled to work through the field which was unusual.
A week on and we were at round two, Thornton-In-Craven, a new venue. My issues in this race began before the race had even started as I threw up on the start line with a minute to go. Despite an ok start I was clearly ill and off the pace, dealing with stomach cramps throughout the race. I finished 20th but in hindsight I was unwise to have battled through to the finish. Despite feeling ill I did thoroughly enjoy the hilly, fast cornered nature of the course.
I then had a long drive for my first ever Belgium cyclocross race at the “Mother of all crosses” Superprestige Overijse. Arriving in Overijse, we found a technical course, but we were hoping would degrade with the forecast rain. However, the weather was better than expected. The course had a few longish climbing straights with some slippy but rutted corners. The course also included the well-known off-camber wooded section which ended up being one of the drier grippier sections in my race. I started on the second row but went back after a minor collision during the start and heavy legs on the long start climb which we do not get in UK crosses. I had not warmed up enough for this initial climb. After that, my strength came back, and I started to move through the field. I won my sprint finish for 19th place which I was fairly happy with.
The final race of the month was at Derby for round three of National Trophy. After a few poor races, I was determined to do better. Gridded 9th on the front row I had a good start but lost some places on the first long straight feeling I was missing some power and getting briefly sent into a post by another rider. It was interesting to race Derby in the mud for the first time with the course having some very slick sections meaning there was a good bit of running. The full 40cm hurdles were in their usual place which I was delighted to have managed to hop on every lap for the first time in a race. I really enjoyed this race and course, especially the hurdles. I was pleased with 7th.
Despite the not-so-great start to the month it finished much better and I am looking forward to the next races. I still do not think I am back to my full form after illness but hoping to improve this over the next month or so.
*Photos by VeloUK:
*Photos by mum
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