It’s a week after the German IXS cup race in Ilmenau and
we have been having loads of fun at Christian Textor’s place riding dirt jumps
and pump track. Getting back to business though, the weekend went really well
and this is how it all unfolded.
After arriving on the Friday we quickly walked the track and
got going as practice was already under way! The track was a little different
to what we have been riding with it being a bit shorter and flatter. It was
also all natural with no bike park sections which was cool. It’s almost like
riding a pump track all the way down, but with around 500 riders on track! The
conditions were bone dry and loose which made it really tricky to push the
envelope but it was a lot of fun.
I got in about 5 runs on the Friday with the shuttle, yes a
shuttle in Europe! I think it’s the only one in the series! I felt really good
on the track and that I had a really good chance to take a win there. On
Saturday I just put in 3 good runs in the morning and I was ready for seeding,
I was a little anxious as I was last down the hill with the number 1 on my bike
J My first ever number 1
at a race. However it just had to rain as this is Europe and it always rains at
some point. So just before my seeding run it poured down leaving the track dry
in some sections and super slippery in others. There were lots of roots on the
track so I knew it was going to be interesting. Finally I set off and as soon
as I got into it I was just all over the place blowing turns, being way to
aggressive and pushing too hard. I had 3 very near crashes and somehow I
crossed the line 18th 5.7sec back. I was not pleased with myself at
all as I usually don’t ride like that, but it was just seeding and I knew I had
to put in a solid one on Sunday.
On Sunday morning I focused on my lines and also did 2 full
runs before the race run just to get the flow of the track and to settle in. I
felt way better and knew that I had a lot of time I could make up.
Before I knew it I was in the gate and ready to go, the
beeps came and I was off! I pushed as hard as possible without over cooking it,
I had a solid run which was almost mistake free. I came down with a time of
2:09 which was good enough for 7th spot, I was only 2.1 sec off the
winner, Benny Strasser. It was quite annoying to be so close and not get a podium but that’s racing and it’s still a solid result. I have to say this is probably my favourite race of the year so far due to all the crazy german fans!
Thanks so much to everyone who has helped me thus far and to
all my amazing sponsors! INVESTEC, morewood, Seattle Coffee co, Cycles Africa,
Manitou, Odi, Sun Ringle, Hayes, Science 2 Sport, John Wakefield, Virgin
Active, Csixx, Spank, Bell helmets, Leatt, Adidas eyewear, Red Bull SA and
Faithwear.
Next up is European cup #4 in Wiriehorn Switzerland!
Until next time...
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