It's all over!

Finished my racing this morning with the 200m sprint qualifier.

My first race of the week was in the scratch on Thursday evening. I thought it went well, taking a lap and winning the sprint. However, with a group of 5 taking an extra lap I was still just outside of a top 10. I enjoyed the race and never felt under pressure. So hopefully I'll be able to get stuck into some proper racing at my next world cup, knowing that the pace isn't way above my threshhold! Bring on Beijing where I'll be riding the points race and possibly the sprint again.

This morning I rode in the sprint. I went round in an 11.2 200m. Pretty big dissapointment really, as I was able to do a 13.3 flying lap early in the week. Was hoping to go sub 11 for a new PB but messed up my pacing in the run in.

In other news, Martyn finished up 10th in the omnium. With a 4th in the individual pursuit and 3rd in the kilo with a 1.03!! That is seriously quick. He dropped places through the bunch racing, but next season after he's had more bunch experience he'll be consistantly taking home medals and hopefully stripy/starry jerseys!!
Caroline made it to the medal ride off in the individual pursuit only JUST missing off on a medal, which is pretty damn good!

Fly home tomorrow for a short break over christmas and then head out to Majorca - our new training HQ - for some more serious track work and some good hilly miles.
Although it's probably my weakest discipline on the track, I cannot wait to get back on the boards for some pursuit training. Since I've got a bit quicker in the last few weeks I've been enjoying it a lot! Really looking forward to pushing hard on the pedals, bring down my times and hopefully get the chance to try a 4k pursuit at my 'home' world cup in Manchester.

Overall, it's been a really enjoyable week and I'm definately getting stronger and fitter. The Irish track team is getting stronger and stronger and Olympic qualification is looking very likely. We'll be challenging for podiums in the last 2 world cups of the track season. The world championships in March will be a massive test/chance for us to show what we've worked hard for and bring home so really top results and more olympic points!

Plan on a chilled evening tonight, and then a nice 24 hours tomorrow.

For the last time in Colombia,
Adios amigos!