Cycling World Masters

28/08/2009 by admin.

Hi folks

I thought I would update you on what has been happening here in hot hot hot Austria.  Apart from the high temperatures and a couple of crazy thunderstorms, there has been a fair bit of cycling going on.

On Wednesday I did the 20 km time trial.  It was so hot, I had a hell of a job squeezing into my SIS long sleeved skinsuit after a sweaty warm up.  I can imagine my SIS team mates laughing away as they visualise that.  Anyhow, the event was won by the impressive GB rider, Sarah Storey.  I came in in 10th place.  I always find that a tough event, never sure if it is the course, road surface or the heat that makes it that way.  My good friend, Avril Swan, took silver in her category which was awesome.

Yesterday was the road race and what a race that was.  Two riders attacked from the gun, even before we had left the neutralised zone.  We were soon into the longest climb of the race and, once again, Sarah Storey took control.  I managed to get in with the leading bunch of 6 which included 2 Italians, 1 American, 2 GB and one other nationality.    It was through and off all the way, the pace was frantic.

Sarah was very encouraging and was checking on how I was doing, not that I had much energy for a chat.   We reached the 2nd climb and I wasn´t sure I would make it up with the leaders but somehow I did, then it was more through and off with one final short climb.  When we got to the final 2 kms there were plenty of attacks going in, I wanted to keep my powder dry until closer to the finish as I don´t have the raw time trial power of the bigger riders but can put in a reasonable sprint on my day, so I just made sure I stayed in contention.  More attacks came and into the final few hundred metres my legs called it a day, I had run out of steam, the tank was empty, not helped by the fact that I pulled my rear wheel out but to be fair, there was nothing left.

So I was placed 6th, an Italian one and Sarah got 2nd with the American third.  I was chuffed with my race, my average heart rate for the entire race was 92%, the average pace for the race was just shy 25 mph, much faster than I am used to racing at home.

One more race to go….a 2 lap road race on Sunday.  This will be just as hard as yesterday.  My tactcis will be similar to Sunday, aim to get in the break and work my butt off to stay with the leaders for as long as possible.

See you all soon.

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