So judgement day came and went, the first race where everyone is together and can test the strength of their Winter training. Of course it is still only March and lots still to build on but Sherwood can be a morale breaker. For this reason I went into it fairly nervous. It’s a race of divided opinion, most will express their gripes with its road racing like nature, where time lost at the start is almost impossible to make up - myself included - but a bit like the turbo, it harbours a love/hate relation; it is incredibly hard with zero rest but you don’t get to Elite without a love for that kind of workout. 

Still reaping the benefits of one good day in Richmond, my grid position of 25th out of 80 and 3rd row, helped me on my otherwise weak starting. Off the gun I lost a good few of these positions not being elbows out enough - I guess I’ll never be a tour sprinter. Keeping my head and working my way back to a good wheel, I found myself with my now ubiquitous race buddy: Nick Craig. A man who always claws back positions, along with Dave Collins, I knew I was in good company. 

I found the course raced really well (other than the amount of people on it) and with some fast guys to ride with got to practice my technique. Having stayed 26er this season - contrary to many - the race was also a test for this decision. I can say I am very pleased with my choice. My reasons for sticking were mainly not wanting to upset the ground I’ve made and also having ridden 29er, concluding it does not suit all types of rider. I felt more nimble and able to carry speed than ever before racing yesterday and as someone who finds it difficult to adjust to change, I’m not sure it would have been the case on 29er. 

Back to the racing and we did as I hoped, pulling out consistent lap times and blown riders. Final lap I was starting to feel it but a Milka Superior rider, coming back from a mechanical, soon masked that. A new wheel to hold and one determined to make back places, I dug deep and did a lap time almost as fast on my first (probably faster given the missed feed) to come home in 22nd position and 12th British rider - less than 20s off a top 20. 

So as the first big race, I come away pleased with my result. Of course, not satisfied, I can see areas of improvement and I know a better result is within grasp but still, a good race. Digging out a fast final lap shows I could have perhaps gone harder throughout, rather than settling into my group. Sherwood is always tight but having finished 5mins back on the winner over 90mins that is only 5%. 5% for me to find somewhere but I think it shows the depth of Elite racing with have racing in the UK, that the margins are that small in the top 15. It also gives me confidence going into the World Cups I have planned.