the first cx race of the season at iiyama on sunday
a great course used for last year’s national championships
is this really the last time the event will be held?
it’s cold early morning
and there is a muddy section straight after the start
there is a steep climb too
and a slippery twisty descent through the forest
but I can clear all sections in the trial run
3 laps
are my CX skills improving?
the race will be 4 laps
an hour between the trial run and race
it’s time spent cleaning bike and shoes!
a serious CX racer has multiple bikes, shoes and a portable jet washer!
no time to warm up
but it is what it is!
3,2,1 go!
mess up the clip in
I only started practicing yesterday
later alex will give me some good tips
a slow starter as always
the muddy section is soon blocked by fallen riders
running it is
from here it’s a case of moving up
the best riders will ride off into the sunset
but you can clear the stragglers
on youtube it looks like a “power course”
lots of asphalt
but in reality it’s quite technical
I pick off riders one by one
on the last lap I’m closing in on the Igname rider
I force an error
he crashes in the sand pit
my chance
but I crash too!
roll in in 6th place
I rode the course to the best of my abilty
probably my best ride yet
my pacing is good
I need to work on my start
and hopefully the skills will come naturally
next up CX maebashi!