Been a while since I've written a blog but figured new year,
new team, renewed enthusiasm!
Down in the South West the race season starts very early
with a 3-event series of 56 kilometre pursuit races known as the Springtime
Pursuits. This year they altered the format slightly to give the 4th Cats a
separate race, with the 3rd Cats having a 7 minute advantage over us in the
scratch group which makes the race very different tactically. It means no
breakaways for the Elite riders, as we all have to work together or we won't
catch the front group over the very short-distanced race.
A minor sore throat that timed itself perfectly for the 1st
round of the series meant I wasn't racing at my best but managed to finish 7th,
and in the 2nd round the scratch group didn't catch the front group with an 8
and a half minute deficit. However I am happy with the races, as it is still
February they are definitely "pre-season" races where we regain the
sensations of riding as a peloton, after many hours in the saddle either solo
or two-up it is needed before the major races when the season starts!
This weekend will be the 3rd and final race of the
Springtime Pursuits on the Saturday, followed by the Southern Semi-Classic, the
Severn Bridge Road Race. This will be my first race alongside members of my new
team, Team Herbalife-Leisurelakesbikes.com, proper racing! Plus my new kit
arrived this week from Santini, and it has to be said it is the best kit I have
ever worn. I'm not one to lie about products...I am very opinionated when it
comes to equipment and the combination of design and quality of the kit is second
to none.
I'll leave you with a sneak preview of my new kit,
and follow up with some (hopefully) good news after the weekend!
