Round 2!
So after not the best of races the day before at La Ronde du Porhoet. I was ready to give it another go and make ammends at Ploerdut. Two very similar place names yet these races couldn't have been more different!
After travelling with my team mates the day before to and from the race, today, it was Tony who took me. Another very warm and windy day as we drove the 40 mins or so to the race. Arriving in Ploerdut with just over an hour to go in what can only be described as a picture postcard French town.
It was a hub of activity though as aswell as our race there was also the start and finish of the final stage of The Trophee Centre Morbihan, a major junior stage race featuring none other than the World Junior Champion.
Kitted up it was time to find sign on. Not as easy as you would think! Headed first to the start/finish line and podium, where I was directed to the town hall. Arriving at the town hall I realised they thought I wanted to sign on for the junior race. How the facial hair and deep voice didnt give it away I do not know! Still after a few more enquiries I found the sign on, got my number and got out for a warm up.
Unlike the day before this race was on a circuit. This has it's positives as it means usually you can do a few laps as a warm up and see what's instore. What was instore was a 4.7 km lap with lots of very narrow farm track roads, gravel and about a 2km climb each lap!
Asking my team mate earlier in the week if anyone else in the team was doing this race he laughed and said "no, trop difficile!" I now knew what he meant.
So as the sole UCL Hennebont rider it was a case of use the other teams to my advantage. 2:10pm, ten minutes late. Another pretty small field of 50-60 riders, we rolled off for 18 laps of this gruelling circuit.
Going off like a crit we were soon lined out. Knowing there was twisting and narrow lanes I was sitting in the top 10 or so riders as to stay out of trouble.
Onto the climb for the first time and it all kicked off. Literally it seemed like everyone was attacking! I was not.
With a strong head crosswind up the climb it was all in the left hand gutter. I was not feeling great but legs felt better than the day before at least. A very fast start is never my forte and I followed the wheels as riders were already cracking on the climb and being dropped...after 2km of racing!
Seeing riders attack and then blow up spectacularly half way up the climb I realised this was going to be a wearing down process. Again engaging the little ring I tried to keep legs as fresh as possible and stay off the front. Soon after a few laps of constant attacks a group of eight or so had prised themselves off the front.
Something I've never been to good on is that last 5%. What I mean by this is I am happy to ride along at 40km/h all day but I sometimes struggle with that extra last effort, the sort of effort needed to close that last bike length. Yes something to work on but unfortunately now was not the time or place! So when an attack did go on the climb I just couldn't react and soon a group of 8 or so riders had got a gap, only a small one but still a gap.
After a few laps though what was left of the bunch, due to the climb, headwind up the finish and general savagery of the course, had imploded.
I was in the second group on the road of about 15 of us. The break was still in sight and on the climb was often within touching distance. Seeing riders suffering I did as least work as possible, just tapping through. We were though catching dropped riders from the break. It was fair to say after just an hour of racing there were bodies everywhere!
Surprisingly I was feeling better lap by lap. Four laps to go and with our chase group also splintering I sensed now was a good opportunity to attack. Attacking quite far out I hoped a rider or two would come across to share the work. Unfortunately this wasn't the case. After half a lap I was caught. Sitting back in, too early maybe.
Three laps to go and unfortunately by now the break was out of sight. Onto the climb and a handful of riders attacked, hard. I couldnt react, not due to feeling especially tired more the acceleration just doesnt seem to be there at the moment.
Two and a bit laps to go and third group on the road there was six of us. Up the climb I planned a last lap dig to try and get away. No need as taking my turn on the front I glanced back to see I'd ridden all but one of them off the wheel. By the top and the other rider was dropped and I was alone. A very windy 9.5km lay infront of me.
Head down, although going like a diesel it would seem, I was feeling better and better and soon was closing in on the next group on the road but could not close the gap. Alone, I rode in to finish 15th.
Although not a long race, it was definately a hard one. A real "use your head sort of race" and other than not getting in the break, I did actually (rare for me) use my head. Saving myself for the last part of the race. Was one of those days where I wish it was longer as was only getting going by the end! Still thats racing and with longer races coming up I can show what Ive got in the last portions of those races.
So finished. Tony treated me to a cider. Having not drank alcohol since winter and also feeling the effects of two hard days racing, it was safe to say it went to my head a bit! Back to The Mills's for a wonderful dinner and chat afterwards made for a great end to the day!
Big thanks to Tony and the family.
A good two days of racing. Seeing a bit of progression, although need to be getting in that winning break! What have I learnt...
positives
1. I am saving energy like never before and thus feel strong into the latter part of these races.
2. I recovered well, felt better on the second day.
3. I had some good race miles in the legs and am starting to work out who to watch in these local races.
Negatives
1. That V02/ last bit of top end. It really is lacking and something I will have to work on in training.
2. Feeling pretty rubbish at the start of the races, turbo or a better warm up needed.
3. climbing, something I sometimes overlook, needs work on. I am fine going one pace up a climb need to work on that change of pace.
So two races, two good tanning sessions. Top 15 and lots learnt again.
Three races coming up this weekend. Saturday a big 1/2/3 race part of The Trophee Daniel le Breton series, Sunday, a local race and Monday another big, kermesse like race 1/2/3 race. So a few good opportunities.
So now all to do is rest up and make sure I start Saturday as fresh as possible. Let the progression continue and hopefully the results will follow!
Tuesday 26 April 2011
Sunday 24 April 2011
La Ronde du Porhoet
You can't say I dont keep my blog up to date! Home and feet up after a very hot and windy race best get what happened down while its still fresh in the mind and the legs!
La Ronde du Porhoet today. As per usual an afternoon race so a morning of chilling and twiddling thumbs. Picked up by the team at just gone midday we had a 45 min drive to the start in a town near Rennes called Guilliers. With two helpers and my team mate Sebastien for company I had plenty of time to speak French, and after a week or so not speaking much in the way of French I was a bit rusty!
Arriving at race and it was a 2:30pm start so the usual hand shaking and sign on followed. Team manager there and also The Mills' so lots of familiar faces.
After finding my size 2 jersey abit on the large side, the last few weeks, I got given a size 0 today which still seems to be slightly big! Still much better than before and team manager looked impressed I needed a smaller jersey!
Another baking hot day and racing at the hottest part of it! Five of us from team today, myself, the local legend Rene (basically a Malcolm Elliott/Andy Lyons character, massive engine and a lot of experience and wins!) Sebastien, Emmanuel and Pascal. So we had a strong team. A very small field of just over 60 riders lined up for the off and we were soon away. The usual flurries of attacks from the word go followed.
After last week I learnt the key to these races is usually being as fresh as possible coming to the finishing circuits where the race really heats up and is decided. Following wheels I wasn't feeling great so hiding was name of the game...for now anyway!
A few kilometres in and a fast left hander saw a rider, a few places in front of me, crash. Must have been close to 50km/h so a painful one! This though caused a split and a few riders attacking. Not very sportsman like at all!
Soon though these 5 attackers had prised out a gap and the bunch decided it didnt want to play ball. With none of our team in the break we were on the back foot so Seb and Rene drove the bunch along over the undulating course.
Now Brittany seems to be renowned for wind and today didnt disappoint! What a wind! A block headwind and the bunch splitting and reforming constantly. I was still feeling rough so hid in the wheels. But by hidding and really struggling putting the power down I was riding to far back and splits were happening. Anyway soon a chase group had formed and I had missed it (didnt have the legs if I'm honest)
So I was in what was left of the bunch coming into the 10 finishing laps. With the wind still howling this was gonna be interesting. First finishing lap and after eating well and drinking alot in the heat I started to feel better. The finishing circuit of about 4km was like a Belgium crit so a few corners and drags.
Not usually my cup of tea. But into the first lap I suddenly found some legs! Onto the drag and with a block headwind I put it into the little ring and spun. To my amazement everyone else was in the big ring churning, yet it didnt matter as I was riding away from the bunch!
Soon two other guys bridged and the bunch disappeared out of sight, we went about getting ourselves back into the race!
Through and off we were working well. We soon caught a few riders who had been shelled by the chase group. Soon we had the chase group of 10 or so riders in site. We were gaining on them. I'm sure we were the fastest 3 riders on the circuit that lap as we bridged the gap and got on.
About 20km to go and with myself and Rene in this chase group going for 7th place and Pascal in the break, now a few minutes up the road, it was looking good. Every lap even though I wasnt flying I was feeling stronger lap by lap. I'd saved something for the finishing circuits!
A few laps to go I attacked up the headwind drag and head down tried to go solo. Brought back, it was only a matter of time and a few more digs and I might be able to break the stranglehold of the chasing group.
Two laps to go and Rene had got away with another two riders. Not wanting to take others across I bided my time. Lap and a half to go and as usual knocked it down onto the small ring as we hit the drag only to jam my chain. Panic! With 5km to go this was definately not the moment for this to happen. Struggling to get chain back on I had no option but to get off and with help from a following car we prised it back on. I'd lost a good 30 or so seconds on the chase group.
Angry I wasnt gonna give up without a fight and put my head down coming into the last lap and soon had the chase group back in my sight. Yet it was to late as although I was gaining on them I'd run out of road. Sitting up I rolled in alone. What was left of the bunch followed a few minutes later after a hard days racing.
So not the best race but think there's more positives than negatives to take away.
Positives
1. My team mate Pascal did an awesome ride, bridging to the break and coming 3rd.
2. I saved lots of energy early and used it to my advantage later in the race on the finishing circuit
3. Rene said I attacked in the best place on the circuit, happy to be praised by such a highly regarded rider
4. I know "what ifs" are worthless but I'm convinced without dropping my chain I was on for around a top 10 today.
5. Drank and ate well in the heat, lots of bottles!
Not gonna do negatives as I made the best out of feeling pretty rubbish for majority of race and was only thwarted by a mechanical problem out of my control. That's racing some times.
So Ploerdut tomorrow. Another local one. From what I hear the circuit is "tres difficile" lets hope the legs feel better than today and bike holds up!
La Ronde du Porhoet today. As per usual an afternoon race so a morning of chilling and twiddling thumbs. Picked up by the team at just gone midday we had a 45 min drive to the start in a town near Rennes called Guilliers. With two helpers and my team mate Sebastien for company I had plenty of time to speak French, and after a week or so not speaking much in the way of French I was a bit rusty!
Arriving at race and it was a 2:30pm start so the usual hand shaking and sign on followed. Team manager there and also The Mills' so lots of familiar faces.
After finding my size 2 jersey abit on the large side, the last few weeks, I got given a size 0 today which still seems to be slightly big! Still much better than before and team manager looked impressed I needed a smaller jersey!
Another baking hot day and racing at the hottest part of it! Five of us from team today, myself, the local legend Rene (basically a Malcolm Elliott/Andy Lyons character, massive engine and a lot of experience and wins!) Sebastien, Emmanuel and Pascal. So we had a strong team. A very small field of just over 60 riders lined up for the off and we were soon away. The usual flurries of attacks from the word go followed.
After last week I learnt the key to these races is usually being as fresh as possible coming to the finishing circuits where the race really heats up and is decided. Following wheels I wasn't feeling great so hiding was name of the game...for now anyway!
A few kilometres in and a fast left hander saw a rider, a few places in front of me, crash. Must have been close to 50km/h so a painful one! This though caused a split and a few riders attacking. Not very sportsman like at all!
Soon though these 5 attackers had prised out a gap and the bunch decided it didnt want to play ball. With none of our team in the break we were on the back foot so Seb and Rene drove the bunch along over the undulating course.
Now Brittany seems to be renowned for wind and today didnt disappoint! What a wind! A block headwind and the bunch splitting and reforming constantly. I was still feeling rough so hid in the wheels. But by hidding and really struggling putting the power down I was riding to far back and splits were happening. Anyway soon a chase group had formed and I had missed it (didnt have the legs if I'm honest)
So I was in what was left of the bunch coming into the 10 finishing laps. With the wind still howling this was gonna be interesting. First finishing lap and after eating well and drinking alot in the heat I started to feel better. The finishing circuit of about 4km was like a Belgium crit so a few corners and drags.
Not usually my cup of tea. But into the first lap I suddenly found some legs! Onto the drag and with a block headwind I put it into the little ring and spun. To my amazement everyone else was in the big ring churning, yet it didnt matter as I was riding away from the bunch!
Soon two other guys bridged and the bunch disappeared out of sight, we went about getting ourselves back into the race!
Through and off we were working well. We soon caught a few riders who had been shelled by the chase group. Soon we had the chase group of 10 or so riders in site. We were gaining on them. I'm sure we were the fastest 3 riders on the circuit that lap as we bridged the gap and got on.
About 20km to go and with myself and Rene in this chase group going for 7th place and Pascal in the break, now a few minutes up the road, it was looking good. Every lap even though I wasnt flying I was feeling stronger lap by lap. I'd saved something for the finishing circuits!
A few laps to go I attacked up the headwind drag and head down tried to go solo. Brought back, it was only a matter of time and a few more digs and I might be able to break the stranglehold of the chasing group.
Two laps to go and Rene had got away with another two riders. Not wanting to take others across I bided my time. Lap and a half to go and as usual knocked it down onto the small ring as we hit the drag only to jam my chain. Panic! With 5km to go this was definately not the moment for this to happen. Struggling to get chain back on I had no option but to get off and with help from a following car we prised it back on. I'd lost a good 30 or so seconds on the chase group.
Angry I wasnt gonna give up without a fight and put my head down coming into the last lap and soon had the chase group back in my sight. Yet it was to late as although I was gaining on them I'd run out of road. Sitting up I rolled in alone. What was left of the bunch followed a few minutes later after a hard days racing.
So not the best race but think there's more positives than negatives to take away.
Positives
1. My team mate Pascal did an awesome ride, bridging to the break and coming 3rd.
2. I saved lots of energy early and used it to my advantage later in the race on the finishing circuit
3. Rene said I attacked in the best place on the circuit, happy to be praised by such a highly regarded rider
4. I know "what ifs" are worthless but I'm convinced without dropping my chain I was on for around a top 10 today.
5. Drank and ate well in the heat, lots of bottles!
Not gonna do negatives as I made the best out of feeling pretty rubbish for majority of race and was only thwarted by a mechanical problem out of my control. That's racing some times.
So Ploerdut tomorrow. Another local one. From what I hear the circuit is "tres difficile" lets hope the legs feel better than today and bike holds up!
Tuesday 19 April 2011
Races for next month
Just a quick update of what and where I will be racing in the next few weeks.. Lots of racing and with the evening series races starting soon I will be kept busy...now just need to find some form!
April
24th Guilliers
25th ploerdut
30th trophee daniel le breton
May
1st GP Job Morvan
2nd GP Rene Le Mene
7th/8th Tour des Mauges
14th/15th Tro Div Ster
April
24th Guilliers
25th ploerdut
30th trophee daniel le breton
May
1st GP Job Morvan
2nd GP Rene Le Mene
7th/8th Tour des Mauges
14th/15th Tro Div Ster
Sunday 17 April 2011
Breakaways at Bignan
Circuit de la Claie. The name of Yesterday's race and after a couple of weeks of flat kermesse like racing, a welcome change!
A 2:30pm depart meant again a morning of chilling out and trying to kill time. Luckily The London Marathon and Chinese GP was on the tv so my morning was filled! 1pm and Tony Mills senior and the Mills' family friend Alastair came to pick me up. Bike, kit bag and myself in car we were ready to roll.
A relatively short 20 or so minute drive to Bignan, a reasonable sized town the other side of Baud. Arriving and with just over an hour till race time I signed on, got changed and headed to meet my team manager to give him my spare wheels and the all important pre race briefing.
Meeting my manager he was keen to show me the map of the days racing and highlight areas of importance. In this case it was the Mountain Grimpeur climbs or KOM sprints. Five of them in total. He wanted me to try and go for them and thus began writing down a small essay on my forearm with each KOM and at how many kilometres into the race!
We then discussed who to watch rider wise. After the last couple of months I have realised unlike the UK where there might be 10 or so guys who could win the race over here there are a lot more possible victors! A quick look at the start list and two names were pointed out to me. A Lanester rider and a BIC2000 rider. Deciding my arm had enough ink on it I made a mental note of their race numbers for future reference!
A 20 minute warm up and on the start line we went. Big crowds again and a full podium with all the trimmings. Around 130 riders for 80km En Ligne then a finishing circuit of 6 laps of 6km.
Off we went and noting the very strong headwind I made sure I was sitting in the first 15-20 riders. Lucky I did, as after only a few kms the attacks were already going. I knew the race could be formed pretty early so followed wheels and after 8km or so found myself in a group of around 8.
Soon we were pulling away from the peloton. A very strong wind meant everyone was giving it full gas. Noting Bapiste Haye, the leader of the Trophee Job Morvan series, was in the break I made sure I was on his wheel. This was for two reasons. 1. He seems powerful but steady and 2. with a massive headwind and Mr Haye being 6ft 7 I was able to get a nice draft behind him!
So another 10km of through and off ensued. Yet the bunch weren't willing to let the race go up the road, well not quite yet anyway. Soon we were caught and it was back to square one. Again making sure I stayed in the top portion of the bunch we soon hit the first KOM climb of the afternoon.
Glancing down at my arm I saw 22km was 1st one. A kilometre from the KOM and feeling good I thought I'd chance it. Yet soon a Lanester rider had jumped. Still with 800 metres to go it was early but I had to follow. Soon a drag race was on as the 20 metres or so the gap to the Lanester rider was not closing. Upto the line I sat up and got rolled on it for 4th! (always glance back before sitting up!)
So not the most successful KOMs and thus I decided the result was more important than trying to go for these hottly contested sprints. It wasn't in complete vain though as over the top and around half a dozen of us had managed to move clear from the now splintering bunch.
But little cohesion and the bunch were back on us. A lot of jumping about followed then into a block headwind section wheels started to be lost and feeling good I saw a gap and took it. Getting on a Vanne rider's wheel were were soon away and before long riders came across and soon around 20 of us were away.
Glancing back and bidding farewell to the peleton, I had made the crucial split. Now with such a big group there is always bound to be problems. With a number of VC Lorient riders and VCP Loudeac riders in the break and just myself from UCL Hennebont I was in no mood to be doing to much work. Unfortunately this was noted! After a heated discussion first in French then English with a rider (the eventual winner) we came to the conclusion I'd do a few more turns if he did.
60km in and we hit another climb. At last some roads I recognised as the climb was the one used for Manche Atlantique earlier in the year. With Tony standing on it I grabbed a much needed bottle as we surged over the top.
80km and we were on the finishing circuits and the temperature had really exceeded. Pretty warm I made sure I stayed top up on food and drink as we rounded the first finishing lap. With attacks going all over the place I was surprised to see around 15 riders come upto us making a group of 35. Not ideal.
The finishing loop included lots of wind and open roads but also a kilometre or so pretty steep climb, which of cause was lined out with crowds. With 3 finishing laps to go, it began to split. Now I'm not sure why but I was beginning to suffer. I'd eaten well and drank and legs still felt ok but I felt a bit worse for wear!
Soon a break had formed and were pulling away. 7 riders. 2 laps to go and still feeling pretty rubbish I knew I had to do something as such a big group meant a sprint was on the cards. Over the top of the finish climb and with 11km to go 2 guys clipped off and I gave chase.
A momentary lapse in concentration meant I was not quite onto the wheel and I soon was no where near the wheel as the two riders pulled away. I was in no mans land. Only one thing to do....hack! So thats what I did. With a massive headwind and open roads I buried myself, but I was suffering and although in 10th place on the road I knew I had a fight on my hands.
Last lap, 6km to go and caught by the chase group. Absolutely spent I watched as the chase group splintered. Into the finish, stomach cramping (need to eat less gels in the heat) and having given it everything I crawled across the line.
A few minutes later the remanants of the bunch rolled in. 68 finishers from 130 starters, a hard windy and hilly days racing.
All going well till 20km to go but just didnt have it when it mattered, just hope I do next time. Top 30 but not the result I wanted but a big learning curve again and seeing progression week by week can only mean before long I will get the result I know I deserve.
A 2:30pm depart meant again a morning of chilling out and trying to kill time. Luckily The London Marathon and Chinese GP was on the tv so my morning was filled! 1pm and Tony Mills senior and the Mills' family friend Alastair came to pick me up. Bike, kit bag and myself in car we were ready to roll.
A relatively short 20 or so minute drive to Bignan, a reasonable sized town the other side of Baud. Arriving and with just over an hour till race time I signed on, got changed and headed to meet my team manager to give him my spare wheels and the all important pre race briefing.
Meeting my manager he was keen to show me the map of the days racing and highlight areas of importance. In this case it was the Mountain Grimpeur climbs or KOM sprints. Five of them in total. He wanted me to try and go for them and thus began writing down a small essay on my forearm with each KOM and at how many kilometres into the race!
We then discussed who to watch rider wise. After the last couple of months I have realised unlike the UK where there might be 10 or so guys who could win the race over here there are a lot more possible victors! A quick look at the start list and two names were pointed out to me. A Lanester rider and a BIC2000 rider. Deciding my arm had enough ink on it I made a mental note of their race numbers for future reference!
A 20 minute warm up and on the start line we went. Big crowds again and a full podium with all the trimmings. Around 130 riders for 80km En Ligne then a finishing circuit of 6 laps of 6km.
Off we went and noting the very strong headwind I made sure I was sitting in the first 15-20 riders. Lucky I did, as after only a few kms the attacks were already going. I knew the race could be formed pretty early so followed wheels and after 8km or so found myself in a group of around 8.
 | |
| finishing a bit dejected and pretty tired after a hard race |
Soon we were pulling away from the peloton. A very strong wind meant everyone was giving it full gas. Noting Bapiste Haye, the leader of the Trophee Job Morvan series, was in the break I made sure I was on his wheel. This was for two reasons. 1. He seems powerful but steady and 2. with a massive headwind and Mr Haye being 6ft 7 I was able to get a nice draft behind him!
So another 10km of through and off ensued. Yet the bunch weren't willing to let the race go up the road, well not quite yet anyway. Soon we were caught and it was back to square one. Again making sure I stayed in the top portion of the bunch we soon hit the first KOM climb of the afternoon.
Glancing down at my arm I saw 22km was 1st one. A kilometre from the KOM and feeling good I thought I'd chance it. Yet soon a Lanester rider had jumped. Still with 800 metres to go it was early but I had to follow. Soon a drag race was on as the 20 metres or so the gap to the Lanester rider was not closing. Upto the line I sat up and got rolled on it for 4th! (always glance back before sitting up!)
So not the most successful KOMs and thus I decided the result was more important than trying to go for these hottly contested sprints. It wasn't in complete vain though as over the top and around half a dozen of us had managed to move clear from the now splintering bunch.
But little cohesion and the bunch were back on us. A lot of jumping about followed then into a block headwind section wheels started to be lost and feeling good I saw a gap and took it. Getting on a Vanne rider's wheel were were soon away and before long riders came across and soon around 20 of us were away.
Glancing back and bidding farewell to the peleton, I had made the crucial split. Now with such a big group there is always bound to be problems. With a number of VC Lorient riders and VCP Loudeac riders in the break and just myself from UCL Hennebont I was in no mood to be doing to much work. Unfortunately this was noted! After a heated discussion first in French then English with a rider (the eventual winner) we came to the conclusion I'd do a few more turns if he did.
60km in and we hit another climb. At last some roads I recognised as the climb was the one used for Manche Atlantique earlier in the year. With Tony standing on it I grabbed a much needed bottle as we surged over the top.
80km and we were on the finishing circuits and the temperature had really exceeded. Pretty warm I made sure I stayed top up on food and drink as we rounded the first finishing lap. With attacks going all over the place I was surprised to see around 15 riders come upto us making a group of 35. Not ideal.
The finishing loop included lots of wind and open roads but also a kilometre or so pretty steep climb, which of cause was lined out with crowds. With 3 finishing laps to go, it began to split. Now I'm not sure why but I was beginning to suffer. I'd eaten well and drank and legs still felt ok but I felt a bit worse for wear!
Soon a break had formed and were pulling away. 7 riders. 2 laps to go and still feeling pretty rubbish I knew I had to do something as such a big group meant a sprint was on the cards. Over the top of the finish climb and with 11km to go 2 guys clipped off and I gave chase.
A momentary lapse in concentration meant I was not quite onto the wheel and I soon was no where near the wheel as the two riders pulled away. I was in no mans land. Only one thing to do....hack! So thats what I did. With a massive headwind and open roads I buried myself, but I was suffering and although in 10th place on the road I knew I had a fight on my hands.
Last lap, 6km to go and caught by the chase group. Absolutely spent I watched as the chase group splintered. Into the finish, stomach cramping (need to eat less gels in the heat) and having given it everything I crawled across the line.
A few minutes later the remanants of the bunch rolled in. 68 finishers from 130 starters, a hard windy and hilly days racing.
All going well till 20km to go but just didnt have it when it mattered, just hope I do next time. Top 30 but not the result I wanted but a big learning curve again and seeing progression week by week can only mean before long I will get the result I know I deserve.
Saturday 16 April 2011
the bigger picture...
After ending last week feeling a bit strange and definately a bit tired. I was all prepared for my easy week.
Speaking to my team manager and team mate the consensus was less training is needed to race over here. They say around 12 hours and that includes racing. This is a bit of a vague number but one thing the first couple of months has taught me is to look at the bigger picture and what is needed to race over here.
Yes, it is nice to do well in every race but honestly if you don't have an amazing sprint or your not a David Chopin (local talent riding for Hennebont Cyclisme) you have to look at the bigger picture. In my case that's looking at races that suit me and prepare for them as well as I can. The races that don't suit me as much, well they are still opportunities for results but are also valuable for working on weaknesses.
So having a week taking it easier I have come to the conclusion I need to keep intensity and mix it in with recovery rides and making sure I'm fresh and ready for the next race.
So rather than plodding along for 4 hours plus I will split the 4hr session into maybe a few sprints, through and off with the team or some motor pacing.
Also another important point is letting recovery take its course after a race. I mean checking resting HR and adjusting training sessions accordingly. If im not fully recovered on the Tuesday another recovery ride would be more beneficial than say forcing the body to do a sprint session.
All simple things I know and all things that should come second nature, but sometimes with the desire to do well the bigger picture is lost and you get into a circle of training to try and race better yet infact just end up turning up to races tired.
So training evaluated I was in for a slow week! Slow, as other than a few recovery rides, that included crawling up the hills and spinning along admiring the amazing scenery, I had a lot of spare time on my hands!
Not wanting to sit infront of a screen all day I decided to get out and experience Pont Augan! That meant sitting by the river (ended up having a nap!) and chilling out in the bar as well as visiting the Mills' down the road.
Luckily I also managed to get a much needed haircut from Tony Mills, 2 months worth of hair removed!
So Saturday and the day before my race in Bignan tomorrow. En Ligne, meaning a big loop, with a finishing circuit, which is said to be quite lumpy! A relatively local race again but sure to be hard.
Rested up and feeling nice and fresh I cant wait to give it a go and hopefully show what a rested and fully fresh Englishman can do!
Speaking to my team manager and team mate the consensus was less training is needed to race over here. They say around 12 hours and that includes racing. This is a bit of a vague number but one thing the first couple of months has taught me is to look at the bigger picture and what is needed to race over here.
Yes, it is nice to do well in every race but honestly if you don't have an amazing sprint or your not a David Chopin (local talent riding for Hennebont Cyclisme) you have to look at the bigger picture. In my case that's looking at races that suit me and prepare for them as well as I can. The races that don't suit me as much, well they are still opportunities for results but are also valuable for working on weaknesses.
So having a week taking it easier I have come to the conclusion I need to keep intensity and mix it in with recovery rides and making sure I'm fresh and ready for the next race.
So rather than plodding along for 4 hours plus I will split the 4hr session into maybe a few sprints, through and off with the team or some motor pacing.
Also another important point is letting recovery take its course after a race. I mean checking resting HR and adjusting training sessions accordingly. If im not fully recovered on the Tuesday another recovery ride would be more beneficial than say forcing the body to do a sprint session.
All simple things I know and all things that should come second nature, but sometimes with the desire to do well the bigger picture is lost and you get into a circle of training to try and race better yet infact just end up turning up to races tired.
So training evaluated I was in for a slow week! Slow, as other than a few recovery rides, that included crawling up the hills and spinning along admiring the amazing scenery, I had a lot of spare time on my hands!
Not wanting to sit infront of a screen all day I decided to get out and experience Pont Augan! That meant sitting by the river (ended up having a nap!) and chilling out in the bar as well as visiting the Mills' down the road.
Luckily I also managed to get a much needed haircut from Tony Mills, 2 months worth of hair removed!
So Saturday and the day before my race in Bignan tomorrow. En Ligne, meaning a big loop, with a finishing circuit, which is said to be quite lumpy! A relatively local race again but sure to be hard.
Rested up and feeling nice and fresh I cant wait to give it a go and hopefully show what a rested and fully fresh Englishman can do!
Wednesday 13 April 2011
Sunday 10 April 2011
"Recuperation"
Recuperation...recovery, Something as cyclists we sometimes don't get right or for that matter dont get the balance right.
I am definately one for not always getting this right. Unfortunately over the last few days my body has reminded me of this!
So after last week feeling pretty lethargic on the very hot team ride I took Thursday off completely. Checking my resting HR in the morning I could see and feel I was tired and not right. Usually around 34bpm when rested it was hovering at 42bpm. A very lazy day was had but still feeling tired I knew this wasn't to be a quick fix.
A long 10hr sleep Thursday night and woke to find HR still around the 40bpm mark. I also awoke to feel as tired as I did when I went to sleep.
Not sure what to do as racing Saturday and Sunday I needed really to get a spin in today. After a morning debating what to do I headed out in the very warm sunshine for 45 mins very easy. Returning although feeling slightly better I still felt half asleep. A lazy afternoon followed.
Saturday
Awake and feeling the same run down self. I was off to Circuit d'Armorique, the otherside of Brest. Picked up by my team manager at 10:45am we headed to the team's lock up to meet my team mate Gurvan and his girlfriend and to pick up the team car.
Away we went and a 2hr drive ahead of us. Now neither my team manager nor team mate or his girlfriend spoke much English. This was a perfect opportunity to show them what I've got! (or not got) After a few broken exchanges I'd even managed to make a joke! Surprisingly the conversation flowed well and other than a few questions about certain words I was pleased to get immersed in the language.
Arriving at the race and it was a hype of activity as team cars, vans and riders milled around. A 2:30pm depart meant sign on, kit on, shake lots of hands and get out for a warm up. Off I went for my warm up yet within 10 mins I heard a hissing and realised I'd punctured, better now than in the race I guess. Back to the team car to swap wheels and continue the warm up.
Warmed up and very warm I was too (27degrees again today) I lined up with the 80 other riders for the start. 15 laps of 8.6km. Basically flat and kermesse like with lots of corners, wind and the Katusha feeder team! Off we went and boy did we go.
Soon up to 50km/h with Katusha lining everything out. I moved to the middle of the bunch and hung on for dear life! Through the first corners it was manic and coming round after 10 mins we'd already completed a lap! Quick was an understatement. Soon though breaks were forming and splits occuring. Unfortunately I was in no state to be participating in this rip up!
A mixture of sprinting constantly out of corners and the fact I still felt rather off colour I tried to hide and survive. Yet it wasn't to be.
After an hour the elastic split and I cracked. Back to the team car I was gutted. Changed and bike away I watched as the field ripped to pieces over the next 2 hours. With Gurvan finishing in what was left of the bunch, 15 or so riders, the time gaps were huge. Surprisingly the winner was a skinny 60kg Lorient rider actually not from Katusha at all! Just shows you don't need to be big to win a kermesse style race like this.
So a long drive back and a pretty big waste of time for me. Even if I was feeling 100% was never gonna be a great course for me but that's racing. A good talk with the manager about my "recuperation" and training and I was home, fed and ready for a good long sleep.
Sunday
To say I was worried after yesterday was an understatement. A 3:30pm race meant a morning of chilling out and trying to kill time.
Picked up by my team mate Sebastien , his wife and son at 2pm. We were off for the 20 min drive to Moreac for the second round of The Trophee Job Morvan Series. Again giving me plently of practise for my language skills! Arriving it was a much smaller affair than yesterday's Elite National but still is a big deal with a podium lorry, sizeable crowds and the ever present beer tent!
Parked up, off to "dossard" (sign on) where I completely forgot the French for number 85 and was given 45! A quick change of number and was off for a couple of laps warm up. Another 25 degree afternoon of racing lay in store. After 2 laps (just over 5.6km a lap) warm up I realised I'd been brought to another kermesse, A very flat one with the only thing not horizontal being the motorway bridge each lap!
Ah well at least the corners were more flowing. Big roads and not much wind, was gonna be a fast one!
128 riders lined up for the 18 laps. Lots of team mates present meant lots of hand shaking, kissing and "saluting!".
3:30pm and we were off! Moving to the front of the bunch I wanted to keep an eye on the series leader and guys who had been in the break the previous week. Wasn't hard to keep track of leader at least. At 6ft 7 and in a bright yellow leaders jersey he was probably the easiest man to spot! Following the wheels the pace was on. Soon a group of 6 or so got away. The race leader wasn't there so I stayed put.
With the series leader's team mates on the front of the bunch the pace stayed high and even though the break did go out to a minute after a few laps it was all back together. Positioning myself in the top 15-20 riders I followed a few attacks but nothing was sticking with such a high pace. Eating and drinking well we were coming into the last lap. The pace now frantic a split suddenly occured of 6 or so riders, dangling off the front of the bunch. I needed to get across, I had to do something, even if I wasn't feeling great.
Up the motorway bridge for the last time and 2 riders clipped off the front I jumped and got onto them. Soon we were doing through and off. Yet a cursory look round and the 100 rider bunch was only a few hundred metres behind. We were giving it full gas but so were they!
So 2km to go and caught. I was spent. Sitting up I got myself into the bunch. Into the finish and sprinted in mid bunch somewhere, tired but content I at least attempted to get away at the end.
Finishing it was a quick one, 44km/h average. A hot, fast race done.
So two races, two kermesses and two not very impressive performances. Although feeling better than yesterday I'm still not right.
Plan is a week of "recuperation" so keeping an eye on HR and very very easy and short rides or days off depending what body feels like.
A race in Bignan next Sunday. En Ligne (big loop) with a hilly finishing circuit. Hopefully will be more my cup of tea and hopefully after a week easy I will be fresh and ready to get that result I know I can get!
I am definately one for not always getting this right. Unfortunately over the last few days my body has reminded me of this!
So after last week feeling pretty lethargic on the very hot team ride I took Thursday off completely. Checking my resting HR in the morning I could see and feel I was tired and not right. Usually around 34bpm when rested it was hovering at 42bpm. A very lazy day was had but still feeling tired I knew this wasn't to be a quick fix.
A long 10hr sleep Thursday night and woke to find HR still around the 40bpm mark. I also awoke to feel as tired as I did when I went to sleep.
Not sure what to do as racing Saturday and Sunday I needed really to get a spin in today. After a morning debating what to do I headed out in the very warm sunshine for 45 mins very easy. Returning although feeling slightly better I still felt half asleep. A lazy afternoon followed.
Saturday
Awake and feeling the same run down self. I was off to Circuit d'Armorique, the otherside of Brest. Picked up by my team manager at 10:45am we headed to the team's lock up to meet my team mate Gurvan and his girlfriend and to pick up the team car.
Away we went and a 2hr drive ahead of us. Now neither my team manager nor team mate or his girlfriend spoke much English. This was a perfect opportunity to show them what I've got! (or not got) After a few broken exchanges I'd even managed to make a joke! Surprisingly the conversation flowed well and other than a few questions about certain words I was pleased to get immersed in the language.
Arriving at the race and it was a hype of activity as team cars, vans and riders milled around. A 2:30pm depart meant sign on, kit on, shake lots of hands and get out for a warm up. Off I went for my warm up yet within 10 mins I heard a hissing and realised I'd punctured, better now than in the race I guess. Back to the team car to swap wheels and continue the warm up.
Warmed up and very warm I was too (27degrees again today) I lined up with the 80 other riders for the start. 15 laps of 8.6km. Basically flat and kermesse like with lots of corners, wind and the Katusha feeder team! Off we went and boy did we go.
Soon up to 50km/h with Katusha lining everything out. I moved to the middle of the bunch and hung on for dear life! Through the first corners it was manic and coming round after 10 mins we'd already completed a lap! Quick was an understatement. Soon though breaks were forming and splits occuring. Unfortunately I was in no state to be participating in this rip up!
A mixture of sprinting constantly out of corners and the fact I still felt rather off colour I tried to hide and survive. Yet it wasn't to be.
After an hour the elastic split and I cracked. Back to the team car I was gutted. Changed and bike away I watched as the field ripped to pieces over the next 2 hours. With Gurvan finishing in what was left of the bunch, 15 or so riders, the time gaps were huge. Surprisingly the winner was a skinny 60kg Lorient rider actually not from Katusha at all! Just shows you don't need to be big to win a kermesse style race like this.
So a long drive back and a pretty big waste of time for me. Even if I was feeling 100% was never gonna be a great course for me but that's racing. A good talk with the manager about my "recuperation" and training and I was home, fed and ready for a good long sleep.
Sunday
To say I was worried after yesterday was an understatement. A 3:30pm race meant a morning of chilling out and trying to kill time.
Picked up by my team mate Sebastien , his wife and son at 2pm. We were off for the 20 min drive to Moreac for the second round of The Trophee Job Morvan Series. Again giving me plently of practise for my language skills! Arriving it was a much smaller affair than yesterday's Elite National but still is a big deal with a podium lorry, sizeable crowds and the ever present beer tent!
Parked up, off to "dossard" (sign on) where I completely forgot the French for number 85 and was given 45! A quick change of number and was off for a couple of laps warm up. Another 25 degree afternoon of racing lay in store. After 2 laps (just over 5.6km a lap) warm up I realised I'd been brought to another kermesse, A very flat one with the only thing not horizontal being the motorway bridge each lap!
128 riders lined up for the 18 laps. Lots of team mates present meant lots of hand shaking, kissing and "saluting!".
3:30pm and we were off! Moving to the front of the bunch I wanted to keep an eye on the series leader and guys who had been in the break the previous week. Wasn't hard to keep track of leader at least. At 6ft 7 and in a bright yellow leaders jersey he was probably the easiest man to spot! Following the wheels the pace was on. Soon a group of 6 or so got away. The race leader wasn't there so I stayed put.
Up the motorway bridge for the last time and 2 riders clipped off the front I jumped and got onto them. Soon we were doing through and off. Yet a cursory look round and the 100 rider bunch was only a few hundred metres behind. We were giving it full gas but so were they!
So 2km to go and caught. I was spent. Sitting up I got myself into the bunch. Into the finish and sprinted in mid bunch somewhere, tired but content I at least attempted to get away at the end.
Finishing it was a quick one, 44km/h average. A hot, fast race done.
So two races, two kermesses and two not very impressive performances. Although feeling better than yesterday I'm still not right.
Plan is a week of "recuperation" so keeping an eye on HR and very very easy and short rides or days off depending what body feels like.
A race in Bignan next Sunday. En Ligne (big loop) with a hilly finishing circuit. Hopefully will be more my cup of tea and hopefully after a week easy I will be fresh and ready to get that result I know I can get!
Thursday 7 April 2011
Summer has arrived en Pont Augan!
Suncream at the ready...summer has definately arrived over here in France.
It was getting quite warm at the race in Colpo on Sunday and then it really turned up a notch. So have I been making the most of this weather...of course, would be rude not too!
Monday:
For some reason over here I seem to sleep really badly the night after a race. Whether it be adrenaline still in me, too much coffee or the fact the races are in the afternoon and I end up eating late. Whatever it is I always wake up Monday morning half asleep! Still an hour easy spin and otherwise a day of getting jobs done, namely the weekly dreaded food shop.
Tuesday:
I am trying to target areas I feel I need to work on in races and tailor specific sessions around these. So the main area I have been struggling with is spinning that big gear, so leg speed really.
Also to work on my, ever very so slightly, improving sprint! So heading out I did half an hour steady and then began my sprints. I do 20 sec sort of jumps on a flat section of road. With 3 mins easy spinning in between. I'm looking for that initial jump and then to spin that gear. Managed 10 of these today. With a strong crosswind they were tough but then again they're not meant to be easy!
Next another hour steady and headed to meet Nick and Tony Mills who were to motor pace me. Riding back to the road where I did my sprints. I find this a perfect stretch of road to do both sessions on. This is mainly due to no corners, very smooth surface and pretty much flat 7km of road.
So off we went and the guys got the car upto 35mph to start with to see how it felt. With such a strong crosswind I knew the car wasn't going to give as much protection as normal. Soon glued to the bumper I was happy to notch it up a bit and soon we were doing 40-45mph with ease. I was working on spinning that gear and getting nice and aero behind the car.
After 45 mins of up and down the stretch of road we had topped out at 48mph and it was safe to say I was pretty cream crackered. Thanking the guys I turned and began ride back. Seeing Sam Allen riding towards me I tagged along and spent the last half an hour chatting and spinning down after a very hard and intense 3 hours training.
Wednesday:
After Tuesday's antics I was slightly on the tired side. Still the last days training before easing off for the weekend's races. A morning of lounging about and then off to meet the team ride. Out I went and planned my usual hour/hour and a half before meeting them.
I started the ride with the climb upto Bubry and literally straight away the arm warmers came off. It was gonna be a warm one! A good hour and a half loop and I reached Languidic to meet the team. Already having drank a litre I filled up and got out on the ride. There were six of us all in an array of clothing choices! From shorts/shortsleeves to one even in a long sleeve!
Riding along and everyone wasmarvelling at the great weather. Seeing a sign saying it was 27 degrees only confirmed how unseasonal it was.
Now I usually like the heat but due to running out of places to put discarded kit I was stuck with my leg warmers on and thus feeling it! Hot that is and very lethargic! 4 hours, 125km done and 2 litres of drink down I was back home feeling half asleep and ready for food and some sleep. Whether it was getting overheated or the session on Tuesday (or a bit of both) I was feeling very sleepy! Either way a day off tomorrow needed!
Thursday:
Up early...not ideal on a rest day.. but needed to get bike to bike shop in Plouay (thanks Tony for the lift) after headset and chain decided they'd had enough! Great service from the guys in there and bike was soon fixed. Had a quick Coffee with Tony before heading back. An hours power nap and a lazy afternoon on the cards!
So what's in store this weekend?
Well firstly an Elite National race, The Circuit d'Armorique over the other side of Brest on Saturday. A circuit like race, rare for such a big race but at over 140km and with all the big teams present its gonna be a good one I hope!
Sunday, second round of The Trophee Job Morvan Series in Moreac (a mere 20km away). A more low key race 100km, another circuit and if the last 2 months are anything to go by another fast race!
So a packed weekend and I cant wait! Now to rest up and enjoy the sun!
It was getting quite warm at the race in Colpo on Sunday and then it really turned up a notch. So have I been making the most of this weather...of course, would be rude not too!
Monday:
For some reason over here I seem to sleep really badly the night after a race. Whether it be adrenaline still in me, too much coffee or the fact the races are in the afternoon and I end up eating late. Whatever it is I always wake up Monday morning half asleep! Still an hour easy spin and otherwise a day of getting jobs done, namely the weekly dreaded food shop.
Tuesday:
I am trying to target areas I feel I need to work on in races and tailor specific sessions around these. So the main area I have been struggling with is spinning that big gear, so leg speed really.
Also to work on my, ever very so slightly, improving sprint! So heading out I did half an hour steady and then began my sprints. I do 20 sec sort of jumps on a flat section of road. With 3 mins easy spinning in between. I'm looking for that initial jump and then to spin that gear. Managed 10 of these today. With a strong crosswind they were tough but then again they're not meant to be easy!
Next another hour steady and headed to meet Nick and Tony Mills who were to motor pace me. Riding back to the road where I did my sprints. I find this a perfect stretch of road to do both sessions on. This is mainly due to no corners, very smooth surface and pretty much flat 7km of road.
So off we went and the guys got the car upto 35mph to start with to see how it felt. With such a strong crosswind I knew the car wasn't going to give as much protection as normal. Soon glued to the bumper I was happy to notch it up a bit and soon we were doing 40-45mph with ease. I was working on spinning that gear and getting nice and aero behind the car.
After 45 mins of up and down the stretch of road we had topped out at 48mph and it was safe to say I was pretty cream crackered. Thanking the guys I turned and began ride back. Seeing Sam Allen riding towards me I tagged along and spent the last half an hour chatting and spinning down after a very hard and intense 3 hours training.
Wednesday:
After Tuesday's antics I was slightly on the tired side. Still the last days training before easing off for the weekend's races. A morning of lounging about and then off to meet the team ride. Out I went and planned my usual hour/hour and a half before meeting them.
I started the ride with the climb upto Bubry and literally straight away the arm warmers came off. It was gonna be a warm one! A good hour and a half loop and I reached Languidic to meet the team. Already having drank a litre I filled up and got out on the ride. There were six of us all in an array of clothing choices! From shorts/shortsleeves to one even in a long sleeve!
Riding along and everyone wasmarvelling at the great weather. Seeing a sign saying it was 27 degrees only confirmed how unseasonal it was.
Now I usually like the heat but due to running out of places to put discarded kit I was stuck with my leg warmers on and thus feeling it! Hot that is and very lethargic! 4 hours, 125km done and 2 litres of drink down I was back home feeling half asleep and ready for food and some sleep. Whether it was getting overheated or the session on Tuesday (or a bit of both) I was feeling very sleepy! Either way a day off tomorrow needed!
Thursday:
Up early...not ideal on a rest day.. but needed to get bike to bike shop in Plouay (thanks Tony for the lift) after headset and chain decided they'd had enough! Great service from the guys in there and bike was soon fixed. Had a quick Coffee with Tony before heading back. An hours power nap and a lazy afternoon on the cards!
So what's in store this weekend?
Well firstly an Elite National race, The Circuit d'Armorique over the other side of Brest on Saturday. A circuit like race, rare for such a big race but at over 140km and with all the big teams present its gonna be a good one I hope!
Sunday, second round of The Trophee Job Morvan Series in Moreac (a mere 20km away). A more low key race 100km, another circuit and if the last 2 months are anything to go by another fast race!
So a packed weekend and I cant wait! Now to rest up and enjoy the sun!
Monday 4 April 2011
kermessing in Colpo
Belgium? No...still France but a very Belgiumesque day.
After the disappointment of The GP Super U on Wednesday I took an easy couple of days and after a light spin with a few efforts to open up on Saturday I was raring to go for Sunday's race.
The Trophee Job Morvan. A four race series, all relatively local and from what I can gather all on circuits. 11;15am and both Tonys and Nick arrived to pick me up. A relatively short half an hour drive to a town called Colpo. Arriving in the picturesque, very typically French town the sun was out, the weather mild and the town...quiet!
hmmm...Through the town we drove until we were ushered in to park in a school carkpark. First here it would seem. I do like getting to a race early but little did I know what was in store today!
So being early we decided to head into town and grab a coffee. Sun beaming down I was keen to get going and headed off to the sign on at the start finish line. Arriving there and there was a hype of activity as the start finish banner, barriers and even the beer stand was up. Lots of official looking people in Trophee Job Morvan logoed jackets were milling around. Not entirely sure where to go I asked one of them where to sign on. I was then promptly told I couldn't yet as my race wasn't until 3pm. It was just gone 12! We had misread the start time and had turned up in time for the cadets race!
So three hours early I headed back to the others to break the news. With this newly gained information I promptly went and chilled out in the car. After a bit of a wait I got changed, got bike in order and headed to sign on. Number on and ready to roll I headed off for a good warm up.
Being a circuit I was able to warm up on it and as it was 5.9km a lap I got a couple of laps in. Riding round warming up I noted a few things. One, there seemed to be a huge amount of down hill/tailwind sections. Two, A good few tight left handers and a very open crosswind section and three, the finish was a flase flat and very long windy section.
3pm. Lined up with 102 other starters for 17 laps. A relatively short race but with primes and a fast course it was sure to be interesting. Off we went and positioning myself on the front of the bunch as we rolled out I knew, with small roads, this was a race to be ridden in the first 15 riders.
One corner down and attacks were already flying. Following the wheels the bunch was soon in one long line. Attacks came and went yet the fast nature of the course meant nothing was sticking. The last few weeks I have been struggling to work out who to watch and what moves were dangerous. Unfortunately this was my downfall today as after another few kms a group of seven had forged out a lead.
The bunch though were in no mood to hang about.
Coming into the crosswind section and the pace was electric. I was struggling as well which didn't help. In the gutter I just couldn't seem to get that gear spinning whilst getting battered by the wind. Survival was the name of the game in this section of the course. The seven escapees soon had built around a minutes lead. The only action in the bunch were small groups making very little headway only to get brought back into the still lined out bunch. Riders though were pinging off the back at regular intervals.
Coming into 3 laps to go and I wasnt feeling great but knew I wasn't here to make up the numbers either. Coming into the finishing straight and into the wind I attacked and got a nice gap. Soon joined by three others we began working well together and were soon pulling away from the bunch. Yet after 5 or 6kms we were soon back in the fold. The bunch moved quicker than anything else on the circuit and wasnt going to let anything go (well except for the 7 riders in the break!)
Last lap and the bunch was half its original size. With the break now holding a minute to two minutes lead we were going for 8th. A sprint was on the cards..my favourite! Coming into the finish I was looking for a gap to launch an early one but the bunch eased into the last corner causing a crash right infront of me. Slamming on I came to a stop. Not ideal with 400 metres to go! Foot back in the pedal and I charged back into the remanants of the bunch and came across the line in around 30th place.
Race done, 100km, 44km/h average, lots of suffering into a crosswind, 50 finishers a lined out bunch and a doomed attack. This was not my day. Can't beat myself up to much as the circuit couldn't have been less suited to me but still I want that result and should have been in that 7 rider break. All part of the learning experience and today again highlighted areas to work on. Namely that top end speed!
Disappointed not to get a result and seeing it was still sunny and warm I put a few more layers on and headed off for the 30km ride home. Little did I know a block headwind all the way back! Luckily back I was greeted by Mrs Mill's great Sunday roast, perfect!
Still a bit more training making a solid if unfruitful day. A good week of training ahead hopefully, some motor pacing, sprinting and group ride all on the cards before an Elite National race on Saturday and the second round of The Trophee Job Morvan on the Sunday..
Lets hope the Belgium kermesse round of the series is behind me and I can pull out that much needed result in the next few races!
After the disappointment of The GP Super U on Wednesday I took an easy couple of days and after a light spin with a few efforts to open up on Saturday I was raring to go for Sunday's race.
The Trophee Job Morvan. A four race series, all relatively local and from what I can gather all on circuits. 11;15am and both Tonys and Nick arrived to pick me up. A relatively short half an hour drive to a town called Colpo. Arriving in the picturesque, very typically French town the sun was out, the weather mild and the town...quiet!
hmmm...Through the town we drove until we were ushered in to park in a school carkpark. First here it would seem. I do like getting to a race early but little did I know what was in store today!
So being early we decided to head into town and grab a coffee. Sun beaming down I was keen to get going and headed off to the sign on at the start finish line. Arriving there and there was a hype of activity as the start finish banner, barriers and even the beer stand was up. Lots of official looking people in Trophee Job Morvan logoed jackets were milling around. Not entirely sure where to go I asked one of them where to sign on. I was then promptly told I couldn't yet as my race wasn't until 3pm. It was just gone 12! We had misread the start time and had turned up in time for the cadets race!
So three hours early I headed back to the others to break the news. With this newly gained information I promptly went and chilled out in the car. After a bit of a wait I got changed, got bike in order and headed to sign on. Number on and ready to roll I headed off for a good warm up.
Being a circuit I was able to warm up on it and as it was 5.9km a lap I got a couple of laps in. Riding round warming up I noted a few things. One, there seemed to be a huge amount of down hill/tailwind sections. Two, A good few tight left handers and a very open crosswind section and three, the finish was a flase flat and very long windy section.
3pm. Lined up with 102 other starters for 17 laps. A relatively short race but with primes and a fast course it was sure to be interesting. Off we went and positioning myself on the front of the bunch as we rolled out I knew, with small roads, this was a race to be ridden in the first 15 riders.
 |
| front row on the line ready to roll.. |
One corner down and attacks were already flying. Following the wheels the bunch was soon in one long line. Attacks came and went yet the fast nature of the course meant nothing was sticking. The last few weeks I have been struggling to work out who to watch and what moves were dangerous. Unfortunately this was my downfall today as after another few kms a group of seven had forged out a lead.
The bunch though were in no mood to hang about.
Coming into the crosswind section and the pace was electric. I was struggling as well which didn't help. In the gutter I just couldn't seem to get that gear spinning whilst getting battered by the wind. Survival was the name of the game in this section of the course. The seven escapees soon had built around a minutes lead. The only action in the bunch were small groups making very little headway only to get brought back into the still lined out bunch. Riders though were pinging off the back at regular intervals.
Coming into 3 laps to go and I wasnt feeling great but knew I wasn't here to make up the numbers either. Coming into the finishing straight and into the wind I attacked and got a nice gap. Soon joined by three others we began working well together and were soon pulling away from the bunch. Yet after 5 or 6kms we were soon back in the fold. The bunch moved quicker than anything else on the circuit and wasnt going to let anything go (well except for the 7 riders in the break!)
Last lap and the bunch was half its original size. With the break now holding a minute to two minutes lead we were going for 8th. A sprint was on the cards..my favourite! Coming into the finish I was looking for a gap to launch an early one but the bunch eased into the last corner causing a crash right infront of me. Slamming on I came to a stop. Not ideal with 400 metres to go! Foot back in the pedal and I charged back into the remanants of the bunch and came across the line in around 30th place.
Race done, 100km, 44km/h average, lots of suffering into a crosswind, 50 finishers a lined out bunch and a doomed attack. This was not my day. Can't beat myself up to much as the circuit couldn't have been less suited to me but still I want that result and should have been in that 7 rider break. All part of the learning experience and today again highlighted areas to work on. Namely that top end speed!
Disappointed not to get a result and seeing it was still sunny and warm I put a few more layers on and headed off for the 30km ride home. Little did I know a block headwind all the way back! Luckily back I was greeted by Mrs Mill's great Sunday roast, perfect!
Still a bit more training making a solid if unfruitful day. A good week of training ahead hopefully, some motor pacing, sprinting and group ride all on the cards before an Elite National race on Saturday and the second round of The Trophee Job Morvan on the Sunday..
Lets hope the Belgium kermesse round of the series is behind me and I can pull out that much needed result in the next few races!
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