Quebec Championships

Mt St Anne hosted the Quebec Champs this weekend on what was largely the World Champs course, but with the rock garden omitted. It was a great opportunity to train at race pace on the course and learn lines and gear selection.
Although the field boasted a number of Kiwis and Australians, we were not given preferential treatment on the start grid. This meant that it would be great practice for passing and getting through traffic, while making it more difficult and a harder race.


I was able to ride aggressively on the start loop and slot in around 10th position. I would have liked to be higher, as by the end of the first lap I was around 5th and feeling really good about how hard I was able to push. Getting to fifth however took a lot of effort and it meant those few in front of me who began at the front of the grid had a much nicer time of things. Despite this, Mike Northcott had done what I had to and was in the top 3, showing it was possible to reach more of less the front.

As the laps went by I there was a bit of shuffling around but I was able to hold my position in the race and be consistent from lap to lap. Slow traffic was a bit of an issue with 4 grades on a 15min lap at one time. I knew that I felt good enough to really push the last lap hard. However, I slashed my rear tire on the 2nd to last lap. I stopped and worked the stans around the gash to seal it. Thankfully this worked and I used my CO2 to get it back up to pressure. Unfortunately I lost a few spots and wasnt able to get them back, so my 7th place wasnt really indicative of my ride.

I had a much better feeling in my legs than last week, I am enjoying the racing and I have gained more encouragement from feeling strong and continuing to build. But for a while now I havnt been able to put a result on paper that is reflective of how I am riding. Thankfully my form is the best its been all year, and I have 2 big races coming up to apply myself.