THIS JUST IN..... haha, look at these fakers!
Hey Budz.
Most of you Internet Savvy result searchers already know. 31st out of 35 finishers and 38 starters. 31st EH? Yup Eh!
Spectators would chuck their buddy's and friend’s outta the way to make sure I had a clear path. Photographers everywhere, haha, and beer gardens already half full (at 10am - Hooray for Belgians).
Warm Up - was solid. Because there were no category races before us, the course was all ours to warm up on if we wanted to. I’m thinking PERFECT - but most of the other countries opted for the wind-trainer. I’m not completely sure why, but I bet there are a few reasons 1)less spectators 2)controlled enviro. Not me, I warmed up on course, and Im pretty sure there were only 4 or 5 of us that decided to do so. By 10:30 there were already 100s of spectators lining the course, and they didn't have anything better to do yet then play their noise makers and cheer. So when I rode by it felt like everyone was cheering for me... I was pretty much the only one on course, but there was definitely lots of "oheh CANADA Go Canada!" Who would want to miss that? For the most part I was feeling great! Riding solid lines, and finding good tempo in my legs. My only issue was the chilly air that teased my cough when I laid down some hard efforts, but no prob. Its race day and nothing is wrecking my sweet Vibe!
The Start - KRAZY! first of all - I’m pretty much the only rider that didn't get onto the World Cup circuit this year and as a result had the lowest UCI points ranking (for the learners reading this - start order is based mostly on UCI ranking – I need to hit up UCI races to get points). SO - as a result I got the 2nd LAST call up. haha, I get to start 30+riders behind, ;) save the best for last eh.
They used Traffic lights for the start. Simple - Green means go. GO!! It was an uphill pavement start that went for about 100m before taking a right-hand turn. Naturally the start was fast, and my only focus was to move up as many spots as I could before we hit the dirt section. But there was carnage on the first corner, brakes skidding, and a rider went down taking the middle of the pack down. Bikes and riders everywhere, including fellow Teammate Natasha Elliot (WHO MADE A WICKED RECOVERY BY THE FINISH!). I managed a couple quick manoeuvres (narrowly missing Natasha's head) to get me in the clear. As a result I started my first lap in or around top 20. The pace was dang fast, and the course was dang fast, making for ridiculous fastness. I was sitting in a good spot, I struggled in the straightaways (pavement sections), that’s where these crazy fast girls could really lay out the power, but then I would Yo-yo back on almost every corner because they weren’t super technically good. I was jockeying for spots among a 7 girl group of Italy, Great Britain, Germany, Austria and Japan. Most of my attempts to grab spots came in the corners, then fighting to stay on in the straightaways.
3rd Lap - CRASHED! I let one of my corners sweep a little too much and my tires broke traction. I went down in a skid in front of a massive Belgian Crowd- haha, “OoooooOOoo!” in any language means the same thing. Went to scurry back on and try and catch the group I was riding with, but my chain had fallen off, and wedged into the back of my cassette, off of my derailleur pulleys. Some brightly colored Belgian fans were yelling a mass of gibberish at me while I was trying to fix the problem as quickly as possible. haha I thought it should have been clear that I didn't understand Dutch...they knew I was from Canada but whatever. I finally got it fix’d and got rolling. The brightly colored group let out a big cheer - so I wonder what they were actually saying to me. At the same time a spectator jumped the barrier and gave me a big running push to help me get going. THANKS BELGIAN DUDE!! - I LIKE YOUR BEER HAT! I lost a lot of time and spots in that exciting little kiss with the dirt, and spent the last 3 laps trying to catch spots. By then end I closed down a gap on an Austrian and Italian rider, but didn't catch them. SO CLOSE
Hey Budz.
Most of you Internet Savvy result searchers already know. 31st out of 35 finishers and 38 starters. 31st EH? Yup Eh!
I want to get some pictures up - but there is no room in the skin suit for a camera, so I have to wait till I can gank some photos off of someone else.
How it all went down.
First of all - Being a competitor at this event is like being a celebrity. People asking for autographs, and when I was riding around the venue in full team kit, the massive crowds would just part way for me like I was the Pope (haha, there was a dude dressed up as the Pope - he actually looked awesome, but this is a bad picture. You can just see the hat in this photo).
First of all - Being a competitor at this event is like being a celebrity. People asking for autographs, and when I was riding around the venue in full team kit, the massive crowds would just part way for me like I was the Pope (haha, there was a dude dressed up as the Pope - he actually looked awesome, but this is a bad picture. You can just see the hat in this photo).
Spectators would chuck their buddy's and friend’s outta the way to make sure I had a clear path. Photographers everywhere, haha, and beer gardens already half full (at 10am - Hooray for Belgians).Warm Up - was solid. Because there were no category races before us, the course was all ours to warm up on if we wanted to. I’m thinking PERFECT - but most of the other countries opted for the wind-trainer. I’m not completely sure why, but I bet there are a few reasons 1)less spectators 2)controlled enviro. Not me, I warmed up on course, and Im pretty sure there were only 4 or 5 of us that decided to do so. By 10:30 there were already 100s of spectators lining the course, and they didn't have anything better to do yet then play their noise makers and cheer. So when I rode by it felt like everyone was cheering for me... I was pretty much the only one on course, but there was definitely lots of "oheh CANADA Go Canada!" Who would want to miss that? For the most part I was feeling great! Riding solid lines, and finding good tempo in my legs. My only issue was the chilly air that teased my cough when I laid down some hard efforts, but no prob. Its race day and nothing is wrecking my sweet Vibe!
The Start - KRAZY! first of all - I’m pretty much the only rider that didn't get onto the World Cup circuit this year and as a result had the lowest UCI points ranking (for the learners reading this - start order is based mostly on UCI ranking – I need to hit up UCI races to get points). SO - as a result I got the 2nd LAST call up. haha, I get to start 30+riders behind, ;) save the best for last eh.
They used Traffic lights for the start. Simple - Green means go. GO!! It was an uphill pavement start that went for about 100m before taking a right-hand turn. Naturally the start was fast, and my only focus was to move up as many spots as I could before we hit the dirt section. But there was carnage on the first corner, brakes skidding, and a rider went down taking the middle of the pack down. Bikes and riders everywhere, including fellow Teammate Natasha Elliot (WHO MADE A WICKED RECOVERY BY THE FINISH!). I managed a couple quick manoeuvres (narrowly missing Natasha's head) to get me in the clear. As a result I started my first lap in or around top 20. The pace was dang fast, and the course was dang fast, making for ridiculous fastness. I was sitting in a good spot, I struggled in the straightaways (pavement sections), that’s where these crazy fast girls could really lay out the power, but then I would Yo-yo back on almost every corner because they weren’t super technically good. I was jockeying for spots among a 7 girl group of Italy, Great Britain, Germany, Austria and Japan. Most of my attempts to grab spots came in the corners, then fighting to stay on in the straightaways.
3rd Lap - CRASHED! I let one of my corners sweep a little too much and my tires broke traction. I went down in a skid in front of a massive Belgian Crowd- haha, “OoooooOOoo!” in any language means the same thing. Went to scurry back on and try and catch the group I was riding with, but my chain had fallen off, and wedged into the back of my cassette, off of my derailleur pulleys. Some brightly colored Belgian fans were yelling a mass of gibberish at me while I was trying to fix the problem as quickly as possible. haha I thought it should have been clear that I didn't understand Dutch...they knew I was from Canada but whatever. I finally got it fix’d and got rolling. The brightly colored group let out a big cheer - so I wonder what they were actually saying to me. At the same time a spectator jumped the barrier and gave me a big running push to help me get going. THANKS BELGIAN DUDE!! - I LIKE YOUR BEER HAT! I lost a lot of time and spots in that exciting little kiss with the dirt, and spent the last 3 laps trying to catch spots. By then end I closed down a gap on an Austrian and Italian rider, but didn't catch them. SO CLOSE
ITS ALL GOOD!
So yeah. My first World Championships - 31st.... Honestly I was gunn'n for inside top 30. haha, close, and certainly possible with no cough and no crash. But I’m ridiculously happy with my performance. It’s a very elite field, and these girls are very Race Fit. There is also lots of depth, with riders that have a very colourful record of successes in other disciplines like MTB, and Track.
I finally made my debut on the Euro Cross scene, and it has been a great experience. I’m overwhelmed by what I’ve learned, and I am really excited to continue building on it. I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback, and I am really looking forward to the next couple seasons. I know I need to keep hitting up bigger races, and try to put myself in a better UCI point position (maybe not 2nd last call up next time). Having witnessed firsthand the strength and ability of these riders, as well as the demand of these race courses I have a much improved idea about how I want to layout my rides, and season. I have the ability to be extremely competitive among this field of riders, and I cannot wait for the next races. For the next couple weeks I’ll be on a bit of a chill-out rampage. Then get right stoked back up again for the Road and MTB season (which now counts as prep for Cyclocross WOOP WOOP!).
So yeah. My first World Championships - 31st.... Honestly I was gunn'n for inside top 30. haha, close, and certainly possible with no cough and no crash. But I’m ridiculously happy with my performance. It’s a very elite field, and these girls are very Race Fit. There is also lots of depth, with riders that have a very colourful record of successes in other disciplines like MTB, and Track.
I finally made my debut on the Euro Cross scene, and it has been a great experience. I’m overwhelmed by what I’ve learned, and I am really excited to continue building on it. I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback, and I am really looking forward to the next couple seasons. I know I need to keep hitting up bigger races, and try to put myself in a better UCI point position (maybe not 2nd last call up next time). Having witnessed firsthand the strength and ability of these riders, as well as the demand of these race courses I have a much improved idea about how I want to layout my rides, and season. I have the ability to be extremely competitive among this field of riders, and I cannot wait for the next races. For the next couple weeks I’ll be on a bit of a chill-out rampage. Then get right stoked back up again for the Road and MTB season (which now counts as prep for Cyclocross WOOP WOOP!).
Ps
After my race we went to the waffle stand. Mmmmm
After my race we went to the waffle stand. Mmmmm
BIG BIG BIG super thank-you to everyone who’s got my back. I really appreciate the support and that is the real reason why I got to come out here and give it my all. It is a dream come true to rock the Canadian Colors and race among such phenomenal riders as a representative of my home country. Thank you so much for helping me rock Europe!!!
