UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CUP
NOVA MESTO NA MORAVE, CZECH REPUBLIC
RACE REPORT BY CARLA HAINES U23
All ready my final World Cup of the Year had come around so fast. It only seemed like yesterday I was competing in my first International Race at Dalby Forest, Yorkshire in May!
I had quite a lot of mixed emotions for this race. For a start I was wearing the National Jersey for the first time; not just in any race but a World Cup! It was going to be recognised by many people such as other riders, Teams and also the public who were there watching and on the TV. In a way this made me very nervous but also a feeling of achievement that I won this jersey for a reason and proud to wear it, which I was.
Flying to Prague was a good and not so good idea. Travelling to Gatwick on the train with a bike bag plus 2 other bags to carry was pretty tiring. Whoever invented the trolleys at airports for luggage THANK YOU, it saved my shoulders big time!
Thursday night I had accommodation booked so Friday myself and team managers could drive to the event, sign on and pre ride the course. It took an hour to get out of Prague. We got lost so many times I don’t actually think we really knew where we were!
Arriving safely and in good time for sign on I pre rode the course. It was fantastic, I absolutely loved it. I did 3 laps which was just enough. First to familiar myself with the course, second to chose my lines on technical sections and third a full lap without stopping at a faster pace.
At the rider confirmation I entered myself for the Eliminator Friday evening. This is where riders sprint round a set track within the arena and battle to be the Eliminator Champion. However, after pre riding the course and feeling very tired I decided not to do it and save myself for Sundays Race. Team mate Cait Elliot, 2x Irish National Champion, was still up for doing it so I watched her to see how she got on.
Saturday I did another lap to keep my mind fresh and just to tick my legs over for a little bit. The rest of the day was spent watching the Junior Males and Females and the U23 mens race. It was such a great atmosphere; the crowds were buzzing and so encouraging I was getting more and more excited to race the next day! Myself, Cait and Team Managers met one of our sponsors who created Sportique. It was great having the chance to meet Jan; it gave me an insight of how he came to produce some really good products. Sportique is based on body and skin care merchandise, not just for cyclists but a whole range of sports pre, during and post competitions.
Saturday evening I got a good meal inside me and prepared bottles tools and my bike ready to race.
It was an earlyish start Sunday; timing chips had to be collected between 8.30-9.30am. Wit spectators arriving it was getting very busy.
Race start was 10:07am. The weather had been off and on rainy and sunny leading up to the event but it did dry up a lot by Sunday. I was hoping for mud and rain but this time it came to late.
Riders were called up for gridding at the start. Elite females went off first followed by us U23’s a few minutes after. I was so nervous; my heart was beating so hard it made me more nervous! On the start line I stayed as focussed as possible.
It was a very fast start which was quite hard to stick with after a while. A few riders including myself were fading away from the main group, but I still kept going whether I gained positions or not.
When entering the single track and descents I caught up other riders. This I was very strong at and was able to gain a few more positions. The climbs I struggled with and felt quite tired, but I rode as hard as I could to keep a good pace going. My goal was not to get pulled. Knowing it fast race I concentrated on riding harder on the climbs and even harder on the descents. By lap 3 I ended up getting pulled. I was a little disappointed but happy to be able to competed at this level for my first year.
The spectators were amazing throughout the whole race which really kept me going. Whatever position you were in they encouraged and cheered so much it was great. The Europeans really know how to put on a race!
My final position was 23rd my best result this year in the World Cup Series.
Now that I have the experience of International racing I know what I need to do to develop as an athlete and to get results next year. I will still be competing in the U23 category for the next 2 years and hopefully see progression before I move up to Senior Level.
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