05.09.09 - 2009 World Mountain Bike Championships: Limping Around
I was excited to be racing the Worlds in my home town and things have been going well all year. With a podium in every race since the start of the year, my form's been good and I've been enjoying the racing. Leading the Japanese XC Series, training consistently, and staying healthy... I was set for the best Worlds ever...
...Then a virus hit me in last July, just before flying home. I took it easy, as the timing could've been worse and I knew I could get over it in time to get some training in before the big race. But in the end the travelling and Canberra cold (going from 35 degrees in Japan) prevented me from shaking it.
It ended up being 5 weeks of doing nothing and having no energy. The excitement of the event and the great vibes from an Aussie team full of cool people lifted me a lot of the time. But despite being positive, I always knew I'd have a crap race. In the end, I did. I had the help of the home crowd with lots family and friends out supporting me. If they weren't so amazing I would've pulled out in any other race. It was basically a grovel around a fun track. Cramps from lap 3 of 7 after a good start (due to being 'fresh'), then no strength anywhere else. I cut my losses and just tried to enjoy the downhills sections.
Credit to the organisers for such a great event and an amazing track. The best World Champs course I've done. It's rare you want to ride a track at that level after you've raced it, but Stromlo is pure fun. And with the crowd screaming at you most of the way around, it's a real buzz. I won't forget the experience (for good and bad).
After being in the top 20 for the first lap, the whole race was simply trying to maintain a pedal stroke without cramping, merely get up the hills, then try to spin out on the flat or downhills. So each lap I went backwards a few spots. Finishing 55th in the end. Knowing I was unfit, my aim for the day was a lame "I don't want to get lapped". I did achieve that, but it was a low aim. The other Aussies put in great races, especially Chris in 15th - the highest Worlds placing in Elite Men for a while.
Now it's time to rest, get healthy, and head back to Japan for the tail end of the season. It will be a case of doing the mimimum in order to just race and hold my series lead. Hopefully things get better, not worse. The opportunity for my best Worlds result ever has passed, but there are plenty of other races and plenty of other things to focus on. It's not the be all and end all. However, feeling healthy, energetic and strong would've been nice. Time to work on that.
VIDEOS
Watch the full race
Hammerhead on lap 1
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3: