|
The gruelling 107 km race: we started off quite fast and the leading group, with which I could barely keep up, was soon reduced to 4 racers, including myself, but then I crashed on a
slippery grass section at a speed of at least 40 km/h. I
managed to catch up with the rider in third place on the next climb, sucked his rear wheel for a while and finally dropped him. For the next 65 km I was third, which boosted my morale considerably, in spite of the incredible muddyness of the racecourse. The Hound of the Baskervilles would have felt right at home there. I had the wrong tyres for these conditions but I gave my best and managed to keep my place for a long time. I crashed a second time in the mud and nearly had a third (and probably final) crash on a very steep descent with deep ruts.
After 3 hours of this, my power began to wane and I was slowly but surely overtaken by the riders behind me. I’m still very happy with my 6th place. I just wish my bike could have stayed
cleaner. I finished in 5:19:10, Thomas in 6:49:21 and Sebstian had to give up after 73 km because his front brake got damaged. The winner finished in 4:52:57 and the third in 5:11:12.
|
