One Race Return

This month marked a significant step in my recovery from a broken leg, culminating in a successful return to racing at Round 4 of the Super Quaich CX Series. Alongside this, I attended a British Cycling Olympic Development Squad (ODS) Camp in Manchester, which provided valuable training and insights as I prepare for the upcoming Junior World XC Series. 

The start of the year focused on rebuilding fitness and addressing the setbacks caused by my injury. My training program included long base weeks to rebuild endurance, followed by the gradual reintroduction of interval sessions to regain race-specific intensity. This structured approach has been essential in restoring my form and confidence on the bike. 

The ODS Camp in Manchester offered an excellent opportunity to train in a high-performance cross-country environment. The weekend included workshops at the National Cycling Centre, covering topics such as nutrition and social media, which provided practical knowledge for both on- and off-the-bike performance. A group ride at Rivington Pike allowed us to test our skills on technical trails, while gym testing sessions assessed key metrics such as leg press and press-up performance. These activities were invaluable in gauging my progress and identifying areas for further improvement. We were also able to collect our new British Cycling team Kit from the new kit sponsors Alé and Castore.

My return to competition at the Super Quaich CX Series was a positive experience. Despite being gridded near the back, I secured a win in the Open A race. The course featured a mix of off-camber sections, technical corners, and long straights, with conditions becoming increasingly challenging due to mid-race rain. The result was a strong indicator that my recovery and training are on track. 

Next month, I will compete in the Chelva and Banyoles rounds of the Junior World XC Series in Spain. The Banyoles round will be part of the ODS program, followed by a week-long training camp. These races will be an important test of my form and an opportunity to gain UCI points. The training camp will also allow me to fine-tune my preparation in favourable conditions. 

I am ecstatic to now be riding my new Willier Urta Max SLR, equipped with the latest SRAM XX SL drivetrain, RockShox SID Ult suspension, Fox Transfer dropper post, Urta Max integrated bar, and Just Riding Along Karve carbon wheels. The bike’s additional 20mm of travel and increased stiffness have already shown benefits in both climbing and descending performance. 

This month has been a productive period of recovery, racing, and preparation. With the Junior World XC Series on the horizon, I am focused on continuing to build my form and aiming for strong performances in Spain on my new bike!