Afxentia stagerace!

So, back to life. Internet is finally working again =)

Races this weekend went a bit up and down from my side. The timetrial started with a 4th place as you probably already know.
The point to point race started good and we controlled the field as a team. Giger was strong and did a good job putting the pace high one the grawel road. I did my best to be in the front when we entered the singletrail to the top and managed to enter first. I set a high and controlled tempo, knowing that the last 3kms was going to be the key to the stage. The last part uphill is pretty tecnical and I managed to open up a gap on to all riders exept Karl Markt. He follwed over the top and I dropped him at the long downhill towards the finish. I had a lead of about 30 sec with 3kms to go when my front tire exploaded in a tight corner. I flew over the bars and landed in the woods beside the trail. Up, checked the bike and found a big hole in my tire. I decided to ride the last on the rim cause I was sure a tube wouldn´t stay inflated much longer than a minute or two in that tire.
I lost way to much time to the front guys and finished 12th on the stage.
It was with a hunger of revenge I lined up to the start of the XC race on sunday. I put in a big effort to try to minimize the front gruop and managed to get away with Karl Markt, Jaroslav Khulhavy and team mate Henk-Jaap already after about half a lap we had opened a gap of about 20 sec to the second group and it grew as Henk had to let us 3 go after 3 laps or so.
I attacked with all I had with about a lap to go but I got chased down on the grawel road. We sprinted as hard as we could and I didn´t have the legs for a win. I ended 3rd and it took me up to 5th in the overall.

I am not that happy about the results this weekend. I am more happy about the feeling I have on my bike. My Anthem is fast and I am enjoying every moment of proper mtb-king!

Next up last race of the Sunshinecup in Limassol on Sunday.

Photo borrowed from the www.

PS. the wheel is straight as a new one with only one big dent. Othervise totally ridable despite about 3kms plus of XC riding…

Stay tuned!