After a wearing Rally di Romagna I hoped for milder weather, and most of all couldn’t wait to be back in Istebna after a 2 year hiatus. Also, these times my respect towards Beskidy diminished slightly after Romagnas enduro-like craziness.
I took to the first stage fiercely, in a way I was astounded how well I recovered from the Italian race. My amazement was fed also by the fact that Beskidy presented its more benign side. The competitive field played into my hands too, as this makes me always want to dig deeper. Due to the kind character of the route a ton of groups have been created and we worked like a well oiled machine, thus gaining massive time on others. It’s been too early to pick my direct rivals I was rather busy with keeping high pace and exploiting my forte in the downhills. Some had given it a go by surging rhythmically, which is a real poison and makes you weary in the process. I didn’t let it affect me and played a consistent game instead. The rather eventless day saw me finishing 29th in GC and 12 in my class. My target stood firm, 6th in my category might be doable, provided I recuperate well on a daily basis.
The subsequent day had us move to Czech Republic, approximately 13km from Istebna. I remember the Czech parcours as rather steady ups and downs, barely any challenging route characteristics, and that proved to be the case. But I got to see to it that I match all attacks. It happens extremely rarely, however in those moments, due to my total concentration, I neglect to eat properly, thus run out of energy prematurely. It’s all the more critical in a week-long race, where a well fed glycogen store is pivotal. Gone is my feeling of pedaling within my sweetspot. I started to struggle and even though I reeled in some in front of me, it took me much longer than yesterday. My best strategy might have been to stay cool and within my zone. But I meant to step up in the ranking today, hence having a nice time- cushion and the control it in days coming up. This tactic cost me a lot. It was tangible right after crossing the finish line, I was way too spent already after the 2nd day – this never bodes well at half time. An immediate feeding doesn’t yield so much once you scratch your reserves. The bottom line showed me 9th in my rank. 3 places to make up, as long as my legs are fresh tomorrow.
What distinguishes this edition from the previous one, too, is the general ambiance in the race village. First of all it’s been relocated into a remote place surrounded by picturesque landscape, rich in woodlands and great infrastructure. The gathering, entertainment, tech support, and all those necessary ingredients, were impressively well organized. It makes a racers life so much easier. The international character of the event makes it even more colourful and exciting. And the fact, that you have got folks from all over the world makes it all the more lively.
A forgettable night foreshadowed a so-so day for me. Heavy legs, 1000x interrupted sleep, poorly recovered stores, and on, and on. I tried to keep my spirits high and to stay focused on the task at hand, but realistically I knew, today I will play defensively, at the best. Also, I trusted, my shoulder-to shoulder competitors are not set about to strike big time, and are dealing with setting in fatigue as well.
Typical Beskidy Racing. Photo: Pawel/Bikelife.pl
The first part was still under my control and I didn’t let them slip away, but then again I was way too much out of my comfort zone to be able to keep this fierce intensity. In the descent I rode cautiously to stay out of trouble. It wasn’t my day however I had to get through this, and somehow feed my innermost with positive emotions and thoughts. Then it happened, what I hoped will not hit me: my front rim got a hard hit and punctured in the process, thus my tubeless didn’t help either and lost the air within 3 seconds. Funnily I didn’t lose my temper and acted really tranquilly. A 10km march ensued and it hasn’t been funny seeing the riders passing me left and right.
To top the trouble, at the water point no tech support was established, thus I was at the mercy of one supporter who gave me another 26” spare tube. By the time, all my GC hopes went down the tube, and basically, I could throw in the towel. Though, for my very personal achievement, I meant to push it as hard as I could, I just wanted to exhaust myself to the very utmost.
The final stage saw me struggling with the very same challenge. Admittedly, my legs didn’t respond when I wished them to act. And I was way beyond my comfort zone from the get-go. I kept my mantra; “Put your head down and suffer, the race is worth the agony, though”. The parcours had all you can imagine: stair step-style drops, seriously rocky and rooty trails, border traversing, wooded sections, and paths full of tree-branches. At that point in time, the strong part of the protagonists cracked, and just wanted to make it to the finish. Knowing that I lost 50min yesterday and 27 today, due to the mechanicals, it would have been foolish to think I could make a good ranking. I meant to finish it off on high notes, nevertheless, and sought to get the notion, on the way home, that yes, I gave it all, and I don’t have any fraction of energy in my tank whatsoever. Hilariously, though already in this point I was dead empty and void.
The very end was a touch-and-go thing, as I had worn down my brake pads completely.
Now, the question remains to be answered for me personally is; did the Trophy break me?
Yes and no. I had a poor technical preparation, took chances and I failed in this regard. Physically, right after the 7-day wearing Italian race I wasn’t as fresh as I hoped to be. That’s a fact. But, barring mechanicals, my plan, to wind up 6-7 in my category was within the realm of my power. And I was more certain I can do it. I just need to remind myself constantly [of my handicap; hypoglycemia] and feed myself accordingly. Sadly though, this is something which isn’t controllable 100%, thus my body can shut down without forewarning and for rational reason, virtually anytime.
But that’s totally OK; therefore I must be eternally grateful how things wound up at the end of the day.
We had a terrific race, four wonderful days. The stage race rules showed their strict and unforgiving face once more. And that’s why I am so much fond of it, that’s why I since day one fell in love with it.
I would be hard pressed to find any fault with this race in general. I can’t help but admit, I was looked after greatly, and spoiled with the awesome vibe and atmosphere on and off the race. Beskidy Trophy truly rocks, big time!
“Sign me up for 2013”