World MTBO Champs – Middle Race

Cath texted me following the race with the words ‘Mechanical, mental or physical?’ I didn’t exactly know how to answer.

Todays was my worst international result for a long time, and following the race I was gutted. Although I felt the course was too physical for me, post race analysis shows everyone was having a tough time of the climbs so I was not doing as badly as I felt at the time, and I was on course for a top 50 finish (which I would have been very happy with) when the real problem struck: a slow puncture that started on the mad rocky descent to number 7. To cut a long story short I tried 4 times to pump the tyre back up, but in the end I could only get to one control before it needed doing again. I was really struggling with the skwirming back tyre both on the climbs and  on the descents where it was just dangerous ( I nearly rolled the tyre off the rim at one point, had a burp and nearly hit a wall!). In the end, on the way to number 13, I gave in and put a tube in (I run tubeless so a real pain in the neck).I then immediately made a silly mistake, the stress and heat getting to me. I ended the race in a whole world of fuzzy pain, and in a foul mood. Hopefully I wasn’t too rude to my fellow team mates, and thank you to Andy W who got me into the rier to cool off.

When I got back to the flat I started a damage assessment on my rear wheel. Luckily I had not damage the rim riding it so flat, but the rim tape was off in several places. I had no choice to either beg and borrow some tubes for the rest of the week or go to Chaves to a bike shop. The fantastic people at “Run and Bike” in Chaves replaced the rim tape and put on my spare tyre, they were just brilliant: one of the best bike shops I have ever visited. Thank you!

I have to mention Ben Plowman’s fantastic result, his climbing ability shining through with a 31^st place, a great result at his first international event. Unfortunately, Helen’s awesome 6^th place on the JWOC course didn’t stand when the course was voided, so she hs to do it all again tomorrow.

More photos are in the gallery.