BRITISH NATIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011
RICHMOND, YORKSHIRE
RACE REPORT BY CARLA HAINES U23 FEMALE
The National Mountain Bike Championships is probably the most important competition in the racing calendar. It is a race where the UKs best riders battle to be the Champion and win the National Jersey.
For me I wanted to win it. It was a chance to show that I am the best and how much I wanted it. I was in the U23 female category and was up against 5 other riders. The prospect of me winning was high but I didn’t want to go into the race over confident.
Sunday was race day. I had Saturday to pre ride the course and Sunday morning as well. The weather leading up to it hadn’t been great but this was a good thing for me. Racing in the rain and mud is a strength for me so I was already looking forward to it.
Saturday morning I pre rode 3 laps of the course. My first lap was just riding to become familiar with it. My 2nd lap I picked my lines and went over sections I wasn’t sure about. My 3rd lap was rode at a faster pace and using the lines I had chosen in my 2nd lap. It was very wet and muddy which was great. I enjoyed every minute of it.
In the afternoon the sun came out. The course dried up a little bit but I knew more rain was due to decided I would wait until race morning to do another lap.
As expected there was rain during the early hours of race morning. Practice was only at 9am and that was it until my race. I just did the one lap at a steady pace and see if anything had changed. Due to the rain it had got more wet and muddy but was similar to when I last rode it on Saturday.
My race wasn’t until 2pm so rested up and chilled out for most of the day. I’m used to racing in the morning so it did drag. I prepared all my bottles kit and tools in good time to take over to the Team Tent where I did my warm up.
I was very focused and knew what I had to do to win the race. After a good warm up and being called for gridding I got very nervous but also excited. The Senior and U23 Males went off first. Then it was the Senior Females and finally off last it was us.
My heart was beating on the start line and could feel it thumping in my chest. With 30 seconds to go I was ready to race my socks off. The gun went and I powered through the pedals as much as I could. I had a great start- I leading out if the field and up most of the climb. My team mate Jessie was with me and she passed me on the steeper climb. I hung on as much as I could but she was very strong and gained some time. When it came to the first descent I caught up. Out of the woods and up another steep climb it was myself and Jessie together.
I was stronger on the muddy single track and descents and she was much stronger on the climbs so we used this to take in turns leading each other around the course.
The long fire track leading into the arena for the second lap was very muddy. We had already caught some of the Senior female riders and used them to work our way up the field.
When it came to the long grass climb Jessie lead. This time I was right on her wheel and was working hard to stay with her.
Half way round the course there was an open fire track before it lead into the long muddy single track in the woods. I planned where I was going to over take her and try and gain some time.
The plan went accordingly and stepped up the pace a bit. This time I was on my own. So many emotions were going through my mind. But I stayed so focussed and concentrated on my riding.
The last and final lap I came through the arena. Grabbed my bottle though the feed station and powered on up the climb. I did take a look back just to see how far I was ahead. It was enough for me to keep leading for the lap. Nothing was going to stop me. I was literally in a zone I had never been before and it felt great!
The final single track I gained so much that I knew I had won it. As long as I went as hard as I could on the fire track to the finish I could do it.
In the woods which lead into the arena I was so happy. I could feel myself beginning to cry but laugh at the same time! I had the best race ever and I was so proud!!
My very first National Title. It felt amazing. I couldn’t actually believe it! I was covered in mud but didn’t care and went straight up to my parents and gave them a big hurt and burst into tears. It was the best ever moment in my racing career!
When Jessie came into the finish picking up the silver medal I went and gave her a big hug. We had worked so well together and was very proud of her. In bronze position came Anna Buik, who also had the ride of her life. It couldn’t have been a better podium then that.
Putting on the National Champs Jersey and the Gold medal around my neck was very emotional! Something I had worked hard for which paid off. This will be something to remember.
A huge Thank You to WXC World Racing for the amazing support through out the race and to all the sponsors of the team.
