Pre race
After last year I was slightly apprehensive going into Lincoln GP, but determined to give it another shot. Last year I crashed at the top of Michealgate at the end of the first lap, I was absolutely fine and got back on my bike but too much time had passed for me to get back into the bunch so after doing one more lap that was pretty much my race over. Going into this race I tried to refocus and not think about the attempt last year as this year it was not national champs and therefore a slightly different race. I went into the race with an aim of getting round the race.
The race
The race felt quite sketchy and surgey, I felt comfortable in the main bunch but didn’t fight for position coming into the cobbled climb up Michealgate. This meant entering the climb near to the back of the bunch and with it being so narrow and steep the group became very spread out. I felt fine up the climb but the group was so spread out it meant chasing it back down after every lap. This was a challenge but doable as it slowed after the decent. On the fourth lap I was caught behind a crash and had to unclip at the bottom of the climb. Luckily a very nice spectator gave me a shove so I could clip back in and get going again. I was then slightly on the backfoot with a few other girls that got stuck, having to chase down the main group. I was very pleased to get back in using the cars to help. However, all this chasing down of the group took its toll and burnt some matches. On the next lap round when the group spread on the climb, I was unable to get back on to the main group.
Overall
So much learnt in this race, it’s so clear how important positioning for the climb is, but also so difficult when everyone wants to be at the front for the climb so lots to work on! I was happy to get back in and practice using the cars for this, but still slightly disappointed I didn’t get to finish the race! Still 5 laps is an improvement on last years 1 lap so im trying to take the positives from that.
Emily x
Comments