Racing Into The Season

April marks the start of the domestic cross-country season, with races that tested my limits and training that pushed my boundaries. This month included the Scotia Offroad Race Team (SORT) camp, my third Junior World Series race in France, and performances at the Scottish XC Series opener. 

This year's SORT team camp returned to the Tweed Valley, hosted by Riders Retreat. The weekend focused on developing essential XC skills while strengthening team bonds. Day one began with targeted mobility exercises before heading to Golfe for practical training including technical descending drills under simulated race conditions, high-intensity race effort intervals, and an endurance ride to build stamina. The evening brought us together for team-building activities around dinner. These moments off the bike are valuable as the training itself. On day two, we tackled a longer endurance ride around the XC loop at Innerleithen. This session provided an opportunity to connect with teammates while maintaining fitness. The varied terrain challenged our technical skills. 

My third Junior World Series race of 2024 took me to Marseille, France—my first time competing on this technically demanding course. Recent rainfall created challenging conditions, with practice sessions on Friday revealing a mix of slick rock slabs coated with mud and narrow singletrack sections where overtaking proved difficult. Race day saw improved but still tricky conditions. I executed a start that secured second position through the start lap—important positioning given the limited passing opportunities on this course. The race leader gained separation after I was forced to dismount on a technical climb due to his minor mistake. Despite my chase over subsequent laps, my legs weren't responding optimally, and I found it difficult to establish rhythm on the technical sections. This was challenging against competitors familiar with the course layout. Over the following laps, I moved from 2nd to 5th position, securing a podium finish in this competitive international field. This race provided experience on unfamiliar terrain that will benefit future competitions. 

The inaugural SXC Short Track race at Cathkin Braes presented a straightforward but intense course: a two-minute climbing start followed by a descent back to the starting area. Despite starting from the back row due to random gridding, I moved to the front by the end of the start straight. Once in the lead, I established a strong pace up the climb, creating a gap. Maintaining effort throughout the remaining four laps, I added approximately 8 seconds per lap to my advantage. My average heart rate remained elevated throughout the race, demonstrating the intensity of this format. The victory served as effective preparation for Sunday's main event. You can also check out my full race from my POV here.

The main XCO event featured slightly slippery but manageable conditions. The course incorporated several technical elements, including drops, rock gardens, and a challenging short climb. Starting from the second row (first among Juniors, behind the Elites), I moved into first position by the end of the start straight. From there, I established a 30-second gap during the first lap. Maintaining focus over the remaining four laps, I extended my lead with each technical section and climb. My equipment performed well on the technical sections, and my nutrition strategy kept energy levels consistent throughout. The final result was a victory by a margin of five minutes, indicating good form as we move deeper into the XC season. 

With these performances, I'm now focusing on the upcoming National Series races and the European Championships. My training will emphasize maintaining form while refining technical skills for the diverse courses ahead. 

Photo Credit to Cate Blyth: