25.04.09 - JCF#2: Ichi-ban! On Yawatahama's top step
Last year in Yawatahama I was going well in the race, but with 2 laps to go I crashed and cut my leg, then went to hospital. So this year I wanted to do well to forget about that race! It's a great course and I was looking forward to the race. Since the first JCF race this year, I've trained hard and have become healthy. And with a great team behind me, I felt good about the weekend.
I drove to the race in the Trek van with Niki San, our great mechanic, and Vince, our experienced soigneur. We met our other rides Ken, Shyun, and Takenouchi at our hill-top cottage. Everyone was healthy and happy, which was great. This year's team vibe is excellent.
Saturday's practise was wet, so the track was a mix of mud, sand, roots, and rocks. It was my only chance to practise, so I headed out for 2 laps. It was great fun sliding around and I felt good, especially after Vince's massage. My new Bontrager carbon wheels might haved added to things too. New wheels always feel good, but these things are stiff and precise. So the bike was feeling 'tight'.
After a night of loading up on pasta, then the same again on the morning of the race, we were all full of carbos and ready to face the freezing gale-force winds on the track. The crowds at the race were huge. Like last year they had a local festival as part of the event. So there was plenty of atmosphere. Although getting through the crowds to warm up was hard. So I didn't do the warm up I'd have liked to. As usual, time flew and we were called to the start. I once again had poll position, with my UCI points helping me out.
The gun went off and we faced the head wind up the first climb, with my team mate Takenouchi leading it out, me 2nd, then my other team mate Onodera right behind me. We quickly got a gap to 4th, so I was happy to think we were looking good to get a 1-2-3 finish. Takenouchi later faded though. Ken on the other hand was driving the pace on the climbs. He and I lead the main climb and dropped all but two riders - Takeya and Yamamoto.
Running extra pressure in my tyres and forks felt harsh on the root sections, so I was bouncing around a bit. But it was worth it for the climbs, as I was feeling good. Ken got into the main descent singletrack first, then the other two riders before me. Ken got away and I decided to keep it cool for a couple of laps. I was a bit lactic from a lack of warm up, so I tried to spin more and not go too much above threshold heart rate. I also focussed on getting fluids and gels in early. My plan was to turn it up at the half way mark. And with the really strong winds I was happy to work with the other guys on the open sections.
Ken got a good gap, but Yamamoto was working hard and making mistakes. He let Takeya go on the downhill and I was patient for a while, then went around him one of the switchback sections and didn't see him again. I kept a consistent pace for lap 3 of 6, sitting about 30 seconds behind Takeya. Ken was another 30 seconds ahead. Then as soon as I hit lap 4 I picked up the pace. I made time on the guys ahead, and I knew I had plenty of energy left. But suddenly at the end of lap 4 I saw Ken with a puncture, going into the tech zone. As he went in for a wheel change, I turned it up even more to make sure he didn't get back on. In the process I got Takeya in my sights. My legs started to cramp a bit, so I just gradually reeled him in.
We got to the last lap and I caught Takeya on the main climb. There was no sign of Ken (he'd also had a crash), Takeya looked tired, and I feeling good. I planned to wait till the next open section near the end to attack, but I didn't have to. I was pressuring Takeya in the singletrack and in the end he wiped out of a seeminly easy corner. But it was a corner I was careful on, as it had greasy rocks all over it. He went down and I just missed him and his bike. From there I knew I had the win, so I did the last climb and fun bermed downhill section with a smile. I rolled into the finish straight relieved to have a smooth race, some good luck, and a good result.
It really felt like a team effort and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season. Only one week until the next race in Shiga. I've heard they're changing the course, so it should be good.
