May 23rd - World Cup #1, Madrid
Result: 15th
How exciting!!! The first world cup of the year always brings such a huge anticipation. Everyone wondering how there form will rank against everyone else's. And to be in Madrid makes it even more special, because the fans are so awesome here. Firstly, as the race is held within 1km of downtown, the number of spectators is huge, and secondly, it seems that the spanish just love to cheer and make noise, so it really gets you going.
On Saturday, meanwhile the grand royal wedding was being held a few kilometers down the road, the heavens opened up and blessed the course with a huge down pour. It was the best thing that could have happened, as it transformed a sandy skittery and pollen infested course, into a super fast and super fun course. Without any big hills in the area, the Madrid course is famous for the constant small, yet steep, power climbs. It always makes for a hard race, yet one usually suited for the more stocky, strong riders.
The woman raced first, and it was Gun Rita Dahle all the way, for another convincing victory. Nothing much new there! Annecy based, Alison Syder was 3rd, and kiwi girls Robyn and Sonja were around 42nd and 48th I think.
I was amped and ready by the time our race kicked off, but maybe a little too ambitious going for an inside line on the first corner. Before I knew it, somebody put out his elbow and I got pushed into the fencing. My barend got hooked and flipped me straight over the handlebars!!! By the time I had straightened the bars again, and got going, I was probably around 110th position. So, basically, race over in the first corner. Or so I thought.
I realized the importance to do my best to try to get as best a finish as possible, otherwise I would be at the back of the grid for next weeks World Cup in Belgium. So I did my best to fight past as many riders as possible on that first lap. I came through after lap 1 in 69th place, 2.30min behind!
After this I just focused on catching the next riders, recovering a while, then moving on. I slowly moved up the field, gaining 10-15 places each lap. I must say it was quite a nice feeling to ride up to a group of 3-5 riders, then just ride past with ease! So what if they were in 70th place... I felt fast! I was surprised with how good my legs were feeling, and even more surprised when, with 2 laps remaining, I caught and passed a group of 8 guys, around the 20th position! Here was really good riders, including Ryder Hysjedal, Jeremy Hogan Kobalskia and Lyam Killan.
In the end I was super happy with the 15th place finish... and a new personal record for numbers of riders passed in a race!!! I proved to myself that I can come from the back, and that its definitely never worth to give up...
Now I'm just looking forward to next week on the infamous Houffalize circuit.
Later,
Kashi
