The sprint race was held 2 km from the event centre, in the low cultivated hills and urban edge of the town. A stiff climb up to the start meant that there was a significant net descent on the course, which finished with a mad dash through the streets.
I got a great start and nailed the first control, but lost loads of time on the second. Thinking I had overshot after blasting down a road, I went in too early on an unmarked track but relocated very quickly after spotting a very small quarry. I still lost perhaps a minute, though.
I was good through number three, confidently riding the rocky ‘dangerous’ descent for the TV cameras, but lost time near control 4, again taking an unmarked track which I should have noticed was wrong. I eventually extracted myself from the undergrowth (with a great big stick through the front mech) and headed out into the grassland section where I picked up some time riding and navigating well. I made one final error before the sprint for home, missing seeing a fence on the map and tried to cut through to a road, only to be forced back round losing time.
I rode the town section cleanly and avoided mispunching the control that caught so many others out.
I sprinted for the line overcooking the braking and managed a spectacular punch with rear wheel still in the air.
Looking at the results I was pleased to see I was well inside the top half in 30th position, my best international result to date.
Em had a solid ride to take 12th, Sarah, 36th and Andy Conn beat me by 40 seconds, making only two small mistakes to take 25th.
Results should be available at www.mtbo.hu