6 May 2009  |  Race Reports

World Cup #3 Race Report

I’ll just blame my lack of updates on jetlag…

After a disappointing finish in Offenburg and a pretty light load of training heading into the Houffalize World Cup, I was hoping for some snappy legs and a great result.  Unfortunately, I didn’t have the result I was looking for, and I haven’t come up with any excuses why not.  Just one of those mediocre days for no reason I guess.

I did manage to get a start spot on the outside of the 5th row (technically I only had to pass the 4 people in front of me, right?).  The start was hard, but I was able to move up a fair amount on the start climb.  In retrospect I should have DESTROYED myself up that first paved climb, because I still had to do a fair amount of passing in the singletrack.  I was moving up steadily, but I had missed the front group and was riding around 10th place for most of the race.  The race was very short- only 3 laps which ended up being under 1:30 at the finish. .

Those last two races have been frustrating for me, I know that my fitness is good right now- I’m riding well, but somehow I just haven’t been able to pull it together and get the results.    Now I’ve got a couple weeks at home to do some training and get fast before Madrid.