Just some of the scents that wafted into my gasps for breath up the climbs in Houffalize on Sunday. The Mecca of mountain biking, Houffalize in Belgium is as special for the racers as the spectators - Belgiums who go to a cycling event like the British do football. 

The course had been made even more challenging than other years with constant pressure either aerobically or technically. I think everyone was riding a little scared, there were more than the usual ‘safe for another lap’ moments, all of which we had to tackle following a 20% climb or two. A couple of days practising (just about managing to navigate a complete lap), I was nervous but excited at the prospect of lots of open steep climbing providing lots of opportunities to make up for my 149th place on the grid.

Before the main event, I took place in the XCE sprint race on Friday. The new series has gained ground and now even qualifying is a task; I didn’t qualify. Watching the replay above, I don’t think I tapped into the motorbike like power zone - must try harder.

Another day of practice then along came Sunday.I got a good long, hard warm up in on a nice road out of Houffalize, knowing I needed to be on my A game from the off. The start loop up the famous 25% road climb was omitted this year in favour of hitting a 25% loose track. Only the top 20 or so were able to ride it with the rest of us running. The remainder of the loop consisted ¾ of the main lap, including the most technical sections, leaving me 4.5mins down coming through the start-finish. The rest of the race was a dribble inducing effort to try and make the 80% time cut. The climbs I had expected to fly up were suddenly that much harder after all the blood had gone to your arms, leaving the latic acid from the previous effort to hang around like an unwelcome dinner guest.

I made it 3 laps + the ¾ start loop of the 5 lap race, almost within the 1 lap. I think given a more forgiving course for those of us at the back, I would have made the full distance. I’m happy to get a World Cup in were I felt good after a number of bad experiences, and also fully savoured the Houffalize experience. I think part of my satisfaction is down to simply surviving and fully riding the complete course, the video below includes a short clip of me (25s) and good footage of various points.

Onwards to Dalby this weekend and La Bresse next month. Hopefully I can carry some good form into them.