It
is always an honour to represent your country and to ride in your National
colours. It was finally my turn to race the Mountain Bike World Championships
in Saalfelden.
Day
1 - Race practice
After
hours of driving we arrived at our apartment over looking the mountains, in a
small town called Zell am See, which was approximately 14km from the race
venue. By the time we picked up the race numbers, course practice was coming to
an end. We decided to walk the technical sections and ride it the next morning.
After directions from the commissaries, we made it to the most difficult
technical sections. "The downhills are no more extreme than our usual
Nirvana cycle rides" my back up team member, Wendy, confirmed! The
difference was going to be the approach. It is one thing to approach a
technical section with enough oxygen in the brain, but it is another thing
entirely with hardly enough oxygen to stay on the bike! "Get on with
it" I thought to myself …. this is where I wanted to be, this is a world
class course, and this is what I have been preparing for. After some positive
talk to myself, I was actually looking forward to my practice run.
Recovery & wifi spot
The
next day the course changed completely...a heavy thunderstorm had changed the
course, making it much more technical. We decided to stay safe and take the
chicken shoots. I saw other riders struggling, and this assured me that there
was nothing wrong with me,... I didn't lose my technique over night, it was
just the changed weather conditions.
A view of the mountains
The
sun was out, and surrounded by blue skies and white mountain tops, we headed
off to the race venue. I was nervous but still in control. I was gridded with
riders from Turkey, Canada, Britain and Australia. We were called one by one to
the start. The atmosphere was amazing. I was focusing on a good start, psyching
myself up, and getting in the right zone. The start was nothing less then fast,
and soon after the gun, I found myself chasing the wheel in front. I overtook
some riders and did some more chasing. It was hard work but I knew that after a
couple of minutes the pace will become a rhythm and my legs will learn the
pace. It didn't happen! Lost my front wheel on a simple flat corner. I jumped
back on my bike but my chain
was off. Lost time and it didn't take much to be left behind, with no one in
sight. After a lonely chase, I started gaining over the Turkish rider. I tried
to get back into the field but I was still
a bit shaky and nervous after the crash. I decided to settle into
a pace and build my confidence again. The course was still muddy
and difficult to ride so I focused on being positive, and every time I rode a
technical section I gave myself a few points. Eventually I started to relax my
shoulders and enjoy the ride, but not for long. We were stopped due to the 80%
rule. End result = 53rd
Approaching the jump…the crowd was amazing!
This
was the first time that the World Championships had included the Sprint
Eliminator. Two laps of 560 meters, an urban course which included different
obstacles such as stairs, tight corners, and a jump. It was nothing different
from my Maltese urban training grounds - the Three Cities. I was in the right
frame of mind, ready to give it all I had. The spectators made it more exciting
then ever. I had an excellent run for my standards, finishing 48th overall but
still short of qualifying for the next round. Only 32 had made it to the next
round, and I was 12 seconds short. I wasn't too upset knowing that I have given
it all I can at this stage in time. And, I could do it all over again... :-)
Picture courtesy of Wendy (This is what
happens when a team mechanic acts as a photographer! :-p )
I
would like to thank the Maltese Cycling Federation for giving me the
opportunity, to my back up team Wendy and Ruben, who were of great support, and
last but not least to Steve, who helped me raise money to cover some of my
expenses. (We had a stall at the Steyning Cycle Jumble, selling our unwanted
cycling equipment and clothing)
Selling stuff at the Cycle Jumble
My back up team :-)
Links...
Sprint
eliminator results...http://www.royaldistributing.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1659:mtb-world-championships-women-s-eliminator-qualifying&catid=42&Itemid=312
XCO results...
http://www.uci.ch/templates/BUILTIN-NOFRAMES/Template3/layout.asp?MenuId=MTUyMTM&LangId=1
