The long qualifier was held 40km south from the event centre at Haruvit. The 1:20000 map had a dense track network splitting small fields from olive groves and stands of trees.
\nAfter a tape cutting ceremony by the local mayor (in which Sarah starred in the TV coverage) I started in the 3rd group of three men, each riding a different gaffeled course. The top 20 from each course go through to the final on Saturday so I had to have a good ride to get in. The heat wasn’t too bad at the start and I spiked the first 5 controls but losing time on the climbs to the stronger riders. Number 6 gave 3 route choice options and I decided on a straight route up and over. Though the track became sandy and v difficult to ride, it wasnt much slower than the southerly option on the road but the northerly option over the saddle seemed quickest on looking at the splits.
\nI made an error on number 7 missing a track junction, perhaps only losing 1 minute, but got filmed by the TV decending into it and bike on shoulder running back up the hill.
\nI rode an otherwise clean race taking advantage of some sneaky shortcuts and felt reasonably strong towards the end. After finishing came the agonising wait to see if I would qualify for the final. In the end I missed out by 1 place coming in 21st. \ud83d\ude41
\nI take the positive though that I am only 9 or so mins down on most of the worlds best, but I am disappointed to riding in the B final.
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The long qualifier was held 40km south from the event centre at Haruvit. The 1:20000 map had a dense track network splitting small fields from olive groves and stands of trees. After a tape cutting ceremony by the local mayor (in which Sarah starred in the TV coverage) I started in the 3rd group of … <\/p>\n