Two races to for your reading pleasure this week. After a couple of weeks without racing, I laid down some solid training culminating in the Southern Champs. I had a good start for once, moving up from the 3rd line to front, which unfortunately was a chase group by this time as the two Bens had been allowed a gap.

I sat on the front trying my hardest to close it but it was drawing out. Ben Thomas is well suited to Wasing, demonstrated by good showings at past nationals. Second lap and Ian Field decided he could do better, heading the chase. He could indeed do better as I was in and out for the saddle, fighting to hold the wheel as he comfortably danced across the rooty tight singletrack. I’ve improved massively technically, but still find Wasing a real battle to be smooth and maintain speed, that and the fact it is flat: it couldn’t suit me less. Still, I’m going to try my hardest to train for it with it holding the National Championships in July. I finished fourth; probably the most annoying result, only second to second!

Next up was the World Cup in La Bresse, France. I had gone off doing this, traveling all that way on my own but managed to hitch a ride with Steve James and his senior. Lots of traveling still, but with a rest week and a top course on the cards I couldn’t refuse.

As we departed on a little ride at our halfway point on Wednesday, reports of snow in La Bresse weren’t exactly building excitement. Thankfully, the weather turned for the better and dispite some heavy showers, we were mostly treated to warm sun the rest of the trip. A few practice laps on Thursday and I was happy with the track; you certainly had to keep your wits about you but it was the first traditional wc course id experienced, a 5min climb, followed by a decent back down. I was rubbing my hands with the thought of being able to actually make a move up from the high number boards.

A few laps early on Saturday morning and my confidence was blown - dew for a wet course which was extremely sketchy. Opting to watch the U23 race in the afternoon was a good choice however, as seeing the dry lines again got me back in the mood.

1400 on Sunday came ‘round (slowly!) and I was placed back row. A good start again (Andy’s start intervals must be doing something) and I settled with a few good faces and numbers. Well, as settled as you can be. The World Cups are very aggressive with everyone trying to make up for their gridding at every cost. Guys force into gaps which simple aren’t there, only costing us more time. The 5min climb was a walk and as we remounted for the technical descent down, I knew it would be messy. The rider in front was too heavy on the brakes into a drop-off, stacking it. I stopped in good time but the rider behind (probably blindly trying to make a position or fill the gap so know one else does) slammed into me, knocking me down.

Remounting and in the next few peddle strokes, the dreaded tinging of gears suggested a bent hanger. I carried on, having to be selective with my gearing, frustrated but determined to ride what I could and still gaining places in the open roads. On to the second lap and first proper accent of the climb I had the capacity to go much harder than my fellow riders so I shifted down and layed on the power - this seemed to be the best I’ve felt for a World Cup.

PING, I was catapulted forwards as the chain broke under the strain of not quite being in either gear. Part way up the climb and a long way from any tech zone, all I could do was grumpily throw my chain to the floor and parade my way back through the spectators (La Bresse had come out in force), hearing ‘ah, sa chaîne’ over and over.

Very frustrating since I felt like I could actually move up a few places and also a long way to go for only 1 and a bit messy laps. The attrition rate of the field was high though and I certainly wasn’t the only one to have problems - even if not through my own fault - plus, I console in the fact my bike broke and was back in working order thanks to Orbea within a few hours, rather than a part on my body.