For the past few years I have been striving to wear the GB colours and be able to race CX for my country, I have been so close each year but never quite made the cut. Last sunday I finally got the chance. The whole journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions from the highest highs to the lowest lows, but a massive learning experience, and I can confidently say that I have come home a better rider.
I was crazy excited to be selected for Euros back in October alongside my Montezuma’s teammates Abbie Manley and Tom Couzens, the next month being filled with pure graft and grind with that one race in sight. After lots of debating as to whether we would be stuck in the UK (due to COVID-19), as a team we eventually travelled out to ‘S-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands. First thoughts riding the course: that's a fair bit of running! Each lap had 3 sets of steps, 2 long sandy sections and a set of hurdles; I would be getting on and off 6 times a lap at a minimum. Second thought: okay this is going to be super fast! The ground was dry, flat and with lots of corners, meaning at least 50 attacks out of corners a lap. Scouting this course was key and something I've discussed in depth with my coach as a reflection. I did my best with my scout, doing 7 full laps practise over the days before my race, trying different lines at different speeds seeing which works best for me but still lots to work on there. I went into the race having seen the start list of riders and knowing the level of the very small field I was up against, at this point I knew my goal was to simply give it everything I had in the tank and finish knowing I left it all out there. I'm not going to sugarcoat it, I was very upset with how my race went and trying not to focus on the result has been tough, I had worked my a** off to get to this position of being able to race and initially it all felt pointless. However, I also refuse to make excuses because in total honesty I DID go 100%, never letting my head drop. I had no expectations for my first race for GB and I guess at the end of the day you have to start somewhere! After lots of positive and negative reflections I've come away a better, stronger and more intelligent rider. Elements to work on (purely for my own record!): - Speed work, yes it may have been a dry course but Europe generally the speed of the riders is on another level. - Running… I need to be sprinting, not running. - Basic technique, no matter how many years of skills practise i've done it's something that always needs reinforcing and something I've forgotten about the past few months. - Scouting: changing tire pressures by 1psi to see a difference, racing others into lines, visualisation and finding that different line from anyone else. Thank you to everyone who wished me luck, supported and believed in me this weekend, i'll be back :))) As always huge thank you to Montezuma’s RT, none of it would be possible without their incredible support. Thanks for reading! Amy :) x Photos courtesy of Simon Pattinson
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