Pre race
As another team cup race, we had a team chat before the race to come up with our strategy. Being third team in the series we wanted to try and move up as much as possible in this race. So we planned to lead out one rider and then have as many of us place as highly as we can.
The race
The race was 50 miles mostly on a flat circuit with just one on drag on the finishing straight. The plan was to stay as close to the front as possible to make sure we were in a good position and just to stay safe. On the first corner there was a horrible crash where some riders just slide out due to the slippery conditions of the road (apparently due to some spilt rapeseed oil or something). The girl next to me came down but I luckily took the corner wide and missed any collisions. However, 18 riders came off and one of our team mates were involved, luckily there were no serious injuries.
This caused the race to be delayed as the first aid team had to stop to look at injuries which meant the race was black flagged until they could check that everyone was okay and get the medics back to us.
I felt good for the first 2 laps of the race, however about half way through my stomach felt horrendous and I had excruciating pain (I have a few food intolerances so think I must have eaten something I shouldn’t had). I felt like giving up and pulling out of the race but thought of the team results and just doing the best I could in the circumstances. I also managed to get stung by a wasp while riding so safe to say I was set in for some pain for the next hour or so. So I sat at the back just to try and make it round.
With about 15 minutes to go I moved up the pack to try and get my team mate in a good position, it was definitely not the best lead out I could have given on another day but still wanted to help if I could. She then put in a stellar performance to come away with 2nd place and I fought with what I had to come away with 14th. Not the result I had set out for but happy with it considering.
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