26.05.08 - Yawatahama: Three Strikes... Out!
The third race of the JCF XC Series in Yawatahama was expected to be fast. An Olympic position was on offer for the first rider. So I was ready to feel some pain. Takenouchi's mad old-school Volvo wagon (aka tank) struggled up the hills to take us to the southern island of Shikoku on Friday. Then we did a couple of laps before dark. The track is one of the most fun I've ever done. With a variety of terrain and gradients, it had something for all types of riders. Everyone was loving it.
It was dry for practise. But on Saturday, just after the Expert men started, it strarted to rain. With so many huge roots on the track, it was pretty challenging. In the meantime, we relaxed at the hotel and Jokan from Global Sports got our legs ready for the race. On race day there was a local town festival on, so it was a great crowd. It was warm and sunny and the atmosphere was good. The riders all looked a lot more focussed that usual. No doubt with the Olympics on their mind. So it was tense on the start line. Once the gun went off, the pace was fast up the first bitumen climb. There was nearly a pile-up on the first corner. Everyone was nervous.
Once we got into the first singletrack, things got more relaxed and the field strung out. It was such a nice track to race on because it was never boring. So before I knew it we'd finished our first lap out of six. My legs felt dead and heavy, but each lap I felt a bit better. So I moved up the field into the top 5. By lap 4 I was into 3rd and feeling stronger. I knew I could make time on the last 2 laps. I'm starting to know the other rides, and I knew the guys ahead started fast and finished slower.
The main descent was covered with mud now. Each lap I was riding the root section smoothly, but next time I wanted to make more time on it. So I decided to try a new line. It meant jumping 3 big roots in one go, then landing on more big slippery roots. But it would be faster and smoother if I could pull it off. Bad decision... I landed on an angle, just clipping those roots, then crashed heavily on my right knee. With a really deep cut (filled with dirt) and severe pain all down my knee and shin, I couldn't walk let along ride. The ambulance suddenly rocked up and they insisted on taking me to hospital to clean and stitch it up. I was update I didn't get to finish the race, especially when I was feeling good and having fun. But I think I was actually lucky it wasn't worse than it was.
When I got back to the race site, I heard Yamamoto had won the race ahead of Onodera, to claim the Olympic position. I hope Japan gains a place in the Olympics (it isn't confirmed yet). I know there are strong riders here and at least one deserves to go to Beijing. I'm keen on coming back to this track and having another go though. A great track and a nice town. Time to heal...
