Previous years Euro races have been reduced to ‘not being lapped’ so this year I was eager to try a little something different. At least until my quads get a little bigger. So this year I’m targeting smaller races like this weekend’s Cat 2 at Pec Pod Snezkou in the Czech Republic. After the World Championships and a World Cup in the last two weeks and most other Euro nations having their National Champs this weekend, I’m hoping the field will be slightly reduced in talent. Which is probably a pipe dream as it is in Europe and every person and probably even their dog can ride a bike exceptionally well! But targeting a race for a result is a lot more motivating than aiming to finish!
With the additional preparation time my power numbers have continued to increase and I’m feeling fresher and fitter. Along with Pec Pod, the next 10 weeks involve 4 more XCO races at Categories 1-3 and the Trans Schwarzwald Stage race in Germany. Where the calendar has allowed, I have tried to pick courses that suit me.
This course of course
The Pec Pod course is technical. The descents and climbs are littered with roots and rocks. Some of the chutes are tough to even walk down. The major climb is 400m long and averages 19% with a portage section up ‘stairs’ to start it off. And now it’s raining… And I can’t wait to race. I can’t wait to attack the start climb and battle for position into the first singletrack section. To race wheel to wheel with another person I’ve never meet but want desperately to beat. Only time will tell how things will play out. All I can do is hold it wide and let it slide!
This course is not without technical challenges.
To sign this little piece off, a thanks must go out to to Mike and MarathonMTB as well as all the incredible sponsors for what they have done. Let’s go see what we can do!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoZgUOoBmtc