Revolution Round 4 1st February
The weekend just gone by, I raced in the second to last round of the Revolutions at Manchester Velodrome for WD-40. It was a cracking night! There was so much atmosphere throughout the dome, with all the shouting and screams off the fans getting louder and louder, throughout the night. It was a hot, dry night in the velodrome.
One of the best things about competing in these races is racing in front of thousands of spectators, who cheer you or your team on, which makes the whole experience of racing just ecstatic! Little kids and even parents, holding out their hands so you can touch them on your way past and anybody just asking for your autographs, interviews and even pictures with you.
It came to 7pm, it was time to get the show on the road… First thing first, was to complete our teams presentation lap. Every team gets called up one by one, to take the lap with the commentator reading out all of your names whilst you're riding round. You look up at all those amazing spectators in the crowd, who are clapping and cheering, hoping all your team give out a cheeky wave to the crowds surrounding. I find this the most awkward part of the night, I do love it! I guess its like show boating? But I always have the same discussion, should I wave? Should I not? Then think, you only have one chance just take the most out of it!!
Afterwards, the racing started and it was getting more serious throughout the night. My race approached quickly! I had a 20lap points. I was feeling really good, so I gave it a shot by going for an attack and putting myself out there. Nothing stuck or went, but I gave it a shot and the best I could! I gained a couple of points, but nothing major. I felt down after this race. However, I was raring to go for my second race to get a good position in this. The second race, vastly approached straight after and it was the 6 lap dash… A sprinters favourite race! However, this race didn't start off how our normal 6 lap dashes start. It was quite slow for a change. It came with about 3 to go and I was in the perfect position. It came up with 2 laps on the board, I was second wheel. Leading this one out was the one and only, Jessie Ansell riding for Rudy Project Racing Team. The bell rang. The charge started to hit over, I pulled out over Jessie to try get my kick back on the girls who came past. But it was too late… I secured a 6th place. Coming off that race a bit down hearted, as tonight wasn't going how I planned or how I felt I could do. I focused on my next and final race, the 20lap scratch. The race soon came around, as it was only a couple of races after we finished our second race. We all set off… Steady. Nothing much happened in this race, it was very plain and bland. A couple of attacks tried to go however, I tried my best to go with each one that went but nothing got away. The bell lap approached rapidly and I was mid pack, not the best position for the final sprint. I pulled up a couple of places and managed to get a top 10.
That evening made me realise about how my races went. As I know deep down, I wasn't happy in what I produced at all. But I was thinking, I got 6 weeks now until the next Revolution, Round 5 in London. Train hard and I will get the results I want!
Watch out London, i am ready for you!! ;D
It was time to leave the velodrome, after I had refreshened myself and had some recovery food. I left the velodrome with a very nice dry and grotty throat, sounding like a man. I travelled home with a couple of my friends, Jessie Ansell and Isabelle Clarke, as we were having a girly night in at Jessie's. However, we didn't get in till about 1am in the morning. On our way home, we stopped at the services wanting a wee and food break. Maccies it was!! We saw Lizzie Armitstead's tweet that she was having a Big Mac, which didn't make us feel too guilty ;) After we filled out bellies, we were on the road again travelling to home sweet, Jessie's home. We finally arrived back in the destination off, Wolverhampton and time to sleep for the following day…
2nd February
Us girlies had to be up early, as Me and Jessie had to go be on the bike coaches for an open Women's Session in Stourport. Whilst Izzy, whisked off to watch the live auditions off Britons Got Talent. 7.15am get up, with us leaving at 8.00am.
Me and Jessie, with her dad set off for the 40minute drive to Stourport. Luckily, it was a nice sunny day! Thank the lord, for no rain for a change.
It was 9.30am prompt and the session started. My job for this was to be at any help or assistance of the women on the session, being an on the bike coach for them. If they had any questions, queries or concerns they were capable to ask me whilst riding round with them and being able to show them the correct techniques or correct gear changes they needed to learn.
It was a great day to being able to help novice women, who want to get into cycling and maybe race in the further days!
Thanks for giving me the oppurtunity Louise and Craig, really enjoyed it!
Below, helping out of one of the girls get out of her saddle on an incline.