Entering a race with the aim of “we’ll-see-how-it-goes” mindset is always a gamble. It could pay off with a surprise result, but, by the same token, could provide just the reverse. But there are times that require you to keep low profile, be it for personal or health reasons. Having been hit heavily by the latter in the last little while, I approached the Trans Hungary with this aformentioned approach, somewhat cautious and anxious not to overdo things.
Mind you, with the start line in sight and the promises this race offers (gorgeous landscape and wonderful people, to name but a few) I couln’t help but reset my ambitions. And so it went from “we-will-see-how-that-goes” to “I-will-do-all-in-my-power” to put up a great result. And I knew from previous races that even though I’m behind my competitors in the fitness stakes, my mind would carry me through.
We kicked off the Trans Hungary on the Danube promenade of the stunning Visegrad/Nagymaros, amid a chorus of high-spirited ‘woo-hoos’. I can’t speak for my competitors but myself, oh man, I was so psyched up, I could move mountains, full of positive spirit. Admittedly, I was privileged to race on my home soil, providing an additional morale boost (but I’m a bit biased).
Sure, I scrutinized my next rivals, but I payed due respect to guys like Baros Balint and Denes Papp. I was confident I’d be able to stay on par with them despite the lurking knee pains that had disrupted my preparations. I had the confidence of a 24hour victory over many of them three weeks earlier, but a mountain bike stage race is a different animal.
I hopped onto my beloved dual-suspension Scott Spark, which had been undergoing some last minute, but very necessary repairs before the start. A wrongly adjusted damper, wobbly parts, worn down pivots, yeah, the list went on.
Stage One
Nevertheless away we went. The first miles presented the remarkable picture that is this part of North Hungary. It’s a sleepy landscape, characterised by its cast of coulourful, but easy-going folks.
Like the locals, it takes me a while to get going too. I didn’t put pressure on myself make my way into the first group at the early part of the race. I knew that so much can happen over the course of 4 days of racing. As things warmed up I cranked up the speed and in doing so headed for a solo surge, picking up a couple of racers in the process. In the last hour and a half of the stage, my afterburner kicked in and I was able to finish strongly, moving up to the 2 nd place in the GC after the first stage.
Welcomed with cheers into the historical town of Holloko, we were treated to astounding hospitality and unique locale cuisine. Speaking of Hungarian cuisine, I have been reminded by my friends to stay on the look out for the right foods. But presented with gastronomic delights of Hungary, it’s difficult not to wolf down as much as possible. Still, the gauntlet remains to be run, and there is no way to finish up the race without some kind of ‘gastro distress’.
Stage Two
The second stage kicked off with a no less spectacular start that the first. But I began it knowing that, based on past experience, I tend to have an awesome stage one performance and then suck on the second day. Not so this time, though. Being in high spirits and confident after the previous day, I attacked my group right after realising that they were struggling on both the hills and descents.
But my move proved to be a double-edged sword. The first group was a long way ahead and I had to negotiate 91km (out of 100km) on my own in a no-man’s land. Normally I don’t mind this sort of riding, but long pave sections coupled with a lot of headwinds, made it a very tough day. My heart was definitely in it, but in hindsight it may not have been a wise, well thought out move to make.
Nevertheless, I kept pushing the gears hard, desperate to catch up on the first group. Mission almost accomplished. I finished three minutes behind the front group, but was bouyed by their words of encouragement for my endeavour after the stage. It was great fun to carry out interviews after crossing the finish line. I was in seventh heaven and tried not to think about dead legs I’d be running on tomorrow. Still, with post-stage recovery in the famous health-spa of Bükkszék, I relished the days racing, pleased to have extended my advantage once more.
Stay tuned for tales from stages 3 and 4 at Trans Hungary…