The EPIC team put on a great show at Djouce woods. On the Saturday, I did a coaching session with 15 riders. It was a great experience and something I hope to do more of. Some of the riders were a little intimidated by some of steeper the descents and climbs, but a few minutes on each was enough to get most of them through it comfortably.
The venue is stunning, incredible views and mature forests with some great trails. The course, however, was a mixed bag. The descents were the straight down type, hold on a blow through all your elevation in a few seconds. This really does lend itself to a climbers course, I’d say only 15% of time was actually descending, on a normal course, it would be about 30%. Billed as a DHers course, but it was the opposite IMO ....howandever, it was still enjoyable, and definitely worthy of a champs course, just a bit of a shame.
We lined up on the field, I was on the 2nd row due to not have world ranking points, but I knew my starts are good so I wasn’t too worried. BANG, around the field, and 2nd in the first ST on Evans wheel. With robin behind. Around Evan, and Robin overtook me just before XTC…..already we were about 8secs ahead of everyone…SORT YOUR STARTS OUT LADS FFS.
About 1/3 way through the 1st lap I backed off Robins wheel and settled in. Ryan caught and passed me on sneaky line that I had missed a little later, and I finished the first lap about 10 sec off, no worries….Peter was about 30 sec back and riding ok. Robin was gone!
Ryan had a shunt on lap 2 and burped his tyre, and he had to stop a couple of times to give his tyre blast, so I was able to pass him and he only caught me at the end of the 3rd…..this is where it started to go wrong, the legs went, disaster. I had to switch into get home mode, Peter passed, and I keep moving slowly until the end…..pity, I would have liked a medal! Robin cruised to victory, # 16 for him. Too easy really, riding real well even though he has ‘retired’. Ryan came in a well deserved 2nd, a bit battered but a good result. Peter 3rd, mega congrats, not bad for a 47 year old!!!! Like I said earlier, good/bad day whatever, I just wasn’t good enough, but I gave it a go. Richi came in 5th, with Philip travelling from Belgium to finish a fine 6th. As always, the Focus was perfect, didnt miss a beat!
I did get on the podium though, 5 of us, 5 bottles of champagne, we all got soaked. Great day out, and well done to Richi, Luke and all the EPIC guys for a awesome show.
Round the outside at the start!
Down GC, what a descent!
Grinding up the climbs
Robin out on this own
Railing it on XTC
Followed by me :-)
Ryan and I do battle!
Aidan cruised to victory in the Vets
Ray had a solid race in the Vets
Sideways
Ryan catching me at the end of lap 3!
Sufferin!
The podium!
