Home from china

Arrived home a couple of days ago. After an 11 hour flight from Beijing to Heathrow. I found myself sat next to Mr.Ester.. something. South African sprinter who I know from the UCI center in Aigle. The flight passed quickly enough with the help of movies and food.
I was happy enough with how the racing went on Sunday. I really didn't know what to expect. I rode in the points race. I think this is the hardest race you can do but one of the best if you're fit! However, if you're not one of the top guys it is really tough.
I woke up the morning of the race - after staying healthy all week - with a really sore throat and a cough. Not ideal. Just about made it through the points qualifier, taking the last qualifying spot. I was up to ride the kilo in between the qualifier and final of the points race. My 'mini omnium' day as Andy called it. Took 1.5 seconds from my time I did in Holland with a time of 1.06.2. After 90 mins, I was lining up for the 120 lap points final, with some of the best bunch riders in the world. Some of the guys had ridden the omnium the previuos day.
I was under strict instruction to do no work in the first 60 laps. This was definately a good idea, as for the first half of the race I was chewing the stem. Found it really tough. But the second half of the race I was feeling a lot better. Still found it hard but didn't feel like I was ever going to lose the wheel. I never really got the chance to go for a sprint, or probably I didn't make myself a chance to get involved in a sprint. Which I kind of regret now, but after the race I was pretty screwed, so was happy to have made it round the full 120 laps. Finishing in 20th, in front of the Aussie, Spaniard, German and Dutch riders.
I heard today I'll be heading back to Majorca on the 2nd February. This is gives me a chance to get over the illness I picked up whilst out in CHina and also get some quality work done so I'm not useless when I arrive.
My aim is to get a pursuit ride in Manchester but my times will have to be quick in order to achieve this.

Off to load myself full of vitamins and medicine in a bid to get healthy!

Adios,