…would it all come together? It's been a long season with every race throwing a different challenge at me. What was going to happen in this race? Could I still come out on top?
I knew I had to win if I wanted to win the British Series title. After riding the super slippy and actually technical course I realised it could be possible. There were three main climbs each followed by off camber rooty descents which suited me as I could recover in between the climbs. It was going to be so much fun to race!! I pre-rode with Lucy Grant (Scottish Youth racer) and as we went round she was shocked by the way I was riding… I had started to hop over everything, ride at crazy speeds and generally show no signs of fear – "em… Katy your riding like… like a downhiller!!! It's scary!" This was okay in pre-riding because your not so tired but in a race this could prove dangerous if I forgot the limitations of an XC bike… which I did….
On race day I had devised a plan. Previously, in races, I'd follow Beth and stick on her wheel, well, try anyway. So, I decided that I'd lead from the start and take early control of the race. It was a fire road start into a single track climb then another bit of fire road for a steeper climb into the more technical of the 3 descents. I knew that even if I didn't gap her on the climb I'd at least get a slight advantage after the decent. From then it was just about racing, going super hard on the climbs, nailing the descents and keeping it consistent – hopefully avoiding sickness, a back spasm, crashing at the start, mechanicals and any other possible bad luck!
(British Cycling photo. Taking control of the race)
To say my plan worked was an understatement! It worked so well that I already had a 40second lead by the bottom of the first decent. Up the second climbed I pushed on, 40seconds was a closeable gap over the 3laps. Fighting through the juvenile boys, I managed to safely complete lap one with a 50sec gap. Second lap I got slightly excited, and down the first little bit of single track I went way too fast into a little dip, flew out of it unable to squish my speed properly and straight through the tape… much to a juvenile boy's despair as he angrily SCREAMED "rider!!" at me. Never the less I continued at a good pace for the second lap only being slightly sick due to the honey in my bottle – I didn't drink anything the rest of the lap until I got water!
3rd lap and there was no way Beth was going to catch me now. I just had to concentrate on getting a clean lap keeping a good pace, I needed to finish. Flying down the last decent enjoying every minute of it knowing it wasn't long until the finish. Through the river my dad gave me a time update "3 minutes" YAS!!!!!!!! I knew that even if something went wrong now I could run to the finish and still win. Fortunately though there was no need to run, I weaved through the switch backs to the finish. Hands in the air I soaked up the victory. It's been a long fight all season and to finally have a smooth race and to win by such a margin… well, there isn't a better way to end the season!
(Claire Oakley's photo Beth, me and Claire)
It wasn't just a good day for me, but for all the Scots!! With series wins from, Lucy Grant, Ian Payton in the Youth categories, Callum Magowan in the juvenile male and Grant Ferguson and I taking the Junior titles the Scots dominated a mear 500miles from home! There was also really impressive performances from Ben Forsyth, Isla Short, Eve Hanlan Cole and Calum Grant (aka, JB – who over two laps got the same time as his sister Lucy!!). Well done to everyone who raced!
Thank you to everyone who has helped me this year and never stopped believing in me!! Special thanks to Dom and Paddy at upgrade for sorting out my bike, Reynold wheels and all the bits, Oli at Morvelo for the coolest kit on the MTB scene, the Hope bike wash man who comes to all the races and always keeps my bike lovely and clean, My dad for his fantastic support and everything he does for me and the rest of the Scottish lot for getting us to races and having great banter! Thanks to Beth for a great year of racing, best of luck for next year missy in that lovely champs top! :)
Next: my BC Academy application has been sent… I'll find out in October if I've been selected! Watch this space!
Win tin tin
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