Germany Races

Well I'm sitting here at 11.15pm and cant sleep and find myself with a sudden motivation to update my blog. Which I have been meaning to do for a few days now.

The Races in Germany were 2 criteriums, 1 Saturday and 1 Sunday. Saturdays race was a 1.2km circut to be done 60 times for a total of 72ks or there abouts. The circut was an extremly difficult circut with a very steep 300m climb every lap, then downhill around a few corners then a 400m false flat to the finish line. Everytime up the climb I was sprinting at full capacity just to hold position and to make up any ground or follow the attacks I was ocasionally having to go into super sayan mode.

The race started with a neutral lap then coming across the line for the first time the 80 odd starters were off. The first time up the climb James attacked and went solo for the first 3-5 laps before being caught. I will admit to being in the box for those laps so kudos to James, but once he was brought back it settled down a wee bit. I was following a Sparkasse rider the only pro in the feild and figured if he moved it would be the one to go with. Well this seemed like a good idea but seems like the entire peleton knew he was the man to watch also, so every attack he attempted was covered, and he attacked alot in the first 30 laps. This constant chasing left a shattered peleton at halfway and there was probably only 40 guys left.

Halfway was when I decided it was time to stake my claim in the race. One guy was up the rode and had a good minute so was pretty much gona win but the race was still on for the minor placings. I attacked a few times and at one point was in a really good break of 6 riders and we were really smashing along but due to the nature of the course the peleton was able to bring us back. It was when we were brought back that some idiot tried to come under me on one of the corners. He came in way to hot and completly slid out, his bike sliding precariously close to me which was abit of a fright but funny seeing some guy slid across the road infront of you.

Coming into 5 laps to go I was feeling really good and was covering any dangerous looking attacks. With 1 lap to go the rider who had lapped the feild sprinted for the win and I used his draft to attack the bunch. I was going well but was abit cooked from a few to many attacks and got caught 500m to go and rolled in top 20. I was pretty stoked with my ride and James team manager was fizzing on our ride so its definitly been a boost to the confidence.

Sunday was abit of a differnt story. It was the same sort of course. 1,2km long with a tough climb up to the finish. It was 70 laps so 80 odd k. With a full comtingent of Pro team Sparkasse it was going to be a tough race. This showed after half of the 80 rider feild were dropped in the first 10k. I was feeling ok and just riding mid pack. After 35 laps I moved to the front and this is when things went bad. Sprinting up the hill my knee decided to poo itself and I was in considerable pain. I got to the top of the climb and decided it was best to stop than do anymore damage to my knee. So that was the end of my race. James had a goodie though and finished top 30 in a very difficult race.

My knee is algud now, its just muscle tightness so a good stretch has sorted it out but still a little dissapointing way to finish a race. But all in all a good weekend so I am happy with the form and with more improvements to still be made I am looking forward to the rest of the season.

My next race is a Kermess this weekend I think but not 100% sure. We will see.

Till next time.