1st Road Race of 2013

Well if you saw the Milan - San Remo race it was a bit like that. I was massively nervous before, anyway as it was my 1^st race of the year and my 1^st proper open road race on quite a tricky course with 2 serious climbs and a 70km/h descent. Plus all the good guys were racing, some I know but most would be new to me. I decided to mark a couple of the best riders as well as possible for the 1^st half and then just see how I felt after that. Dad and I drove the course in the morning and the weather was bad – I wasn’t sure what to wear or which wheels to use. Just before the race the heavens really opened and the temperature dropped to 2 degrees. At the start line we were held for about 10 minutes whilst they secured the course, by which time we were all soaked and freezing – and we hadn’t even started yet!

The 1^st 3km through the town was neutralised but as soon as we hit the “depart real” the race ignited. Attacks went off continuously and I found myself fighting to stay near the front and to stay upright. There were lots of crashes, but nothing too serious thankfully. There were 2 roundabouts close together after 12k and I wanted to be right at the front to stay safe and in contention when we got there, which I was – about 4^th I think.

Eventually 3 guys managed to stay clear and they gradually built up quite a good lead with me near the front of a chasing group of around 20. We were going very hard 1 minute then quite gently the next – I tried a couple of attacking groups but couldn’t get away. But on the 2^nd climb a small group attacked and I went with them, and with 3kn to the summit I launched my own bit to get clear  -  and I absolutely flew away from them. In 3km I got about a 500m gap and then I took a few risks on the very fast descent. It would be great in the dry but the surface was very slippery. Down to the flat and I realised I could catch the leaders. I caught them, and passed them with 4km to go. They got onto my wheel and I decided I had to push on as the peloton wasn’t that far behind. With 2km to go there was a group of 3 and me working together on the uphill back into the town. The last 500m was very steep and my legs just turned to jelly as I had pushed so much, but I was very happy to get 3^rd in such an important race. I know I have the level, and with the road season just starting I’ll only get better. Actually I felt pretty strong, and despite the cold I kept to the plan and stayed safe too.