It feels like forever since I've been home! Been away for the last month training in sunny Majorca.
My trip ended at the Manchester World Cup at the weekend. I competed in the 4km individual pursuit.
Coming up to the event I didn't think I would get nervous. With the pursuit there's not a lot that effects the result other than your legs and lungs! However, I think it's probably the most nervous I've been at a World Cup! My legs weren't feeling great the night before which didn't help!
Martyn had an early start to get to the track for his omnium qualifier. I was a bit luckier with my event which started at 3pm. Watching Martyn's racing on http://www.tissottiming.com/ took my mind off things for a while!
I had lunch at the hotel with Martyn after his successful qualifier. I didn't want to eat, but forced enough food down to keep going for the afternoon!
Down at the track our small pen was packed as all of us were racing on the same day! The mens omnium (Martyn), the womens team pursuit (Caroline, Jen, Siobhan and Cara) and my individual pursuit. We also had double the amount of staff that we usually have, so space was limited!
After my usual 30 minute warm up it was time to get ready. Numbers, aero lid (kindly supplied by SIS) and overshoes.
Martyn was up before me in the flying lap. The opening event of the omnium. At this stage I think I get as nervous watching Martyn in his racing as I do for mine! At least it took my mind off my event for a couple of minutes!
Before I knew it my bike was being secure in the gate and I was readying myself to go. The day before I had ridden a 2km pursuit where I started too hard. I was cautious not to do the same here and after a solid start out of the gate I was away. I was on the track the same time as Claudio Imhof. The Swiss national rider I know from Aigle. A very strong rider who has been at the top of track scene with a European title and a contract with AG2R already under his belt!
I had sore legs within the first 2 laps of the pursuit. Usually if this happened in training it would be a real struggle to hold pace. But with full race gear - double mavic disk, aero helmet and skinsuit - it makes holding splits a whole lot easier! I finished up with a time of 4.37. I held onto splits throughout the ride and I was under my target time of 4.40.
The last few laps were a real struggle but my splits actually got quicker! This was surprising as I was pretty twisted at the half way point. I think it's lucky I had a mirrored visor on my helmet as it felt like my eyes were crossed looking in different directions! After the finish I managed to ride over most of the sponges at the side of track and then once I actually managed to stop, I couldn't actually get off the bike. I kind off flopped off sideways and couldn't pick myself up!
After a good warm down it was time to get ready for the very stressful job of shouting at Martyn from the sidelines!
I finished up 16th out of 22 riders and managed not to get caught in my pursuit (just!!!!!). Martyn finished 9th overall in the omnium securing more valuable 2012 Olympic qualification points! The girls set a new PB in their team pursuit but narrowly missed out of a World Championship place.
I think Manchester has marked the end of my track season after failing to qualify a place for the World Championships in Apledoorne next month. However, I have the opportunity to go back to Majorca next week to help train with our World Championships hopefulls! - Martyn (omnium) and Caroline (pursuit).
Both have chances of medals so I think every thing will be done to get them going fast as possible!
In other news, I will be riding Trek bikes this year with ScienceInSport.com. The road season kicks off on the 3rd April with the Dengie Marshes. A long, tough and probably very windy classic type race.
Really motivated to get some quality training done in the next month in the lead up to the race so bring it on!!
Adios!
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