Now my last road was was back in 2019, I actually managed to win the sucker so have been on a 21 month unbeaten streak. The "Return to racing for big dogs" is the Yorkshire test event and only 6 laps of the short, but hilly, Upper Denby circuit. I came 13th when I last raced there so I know it well.
This race was only open to "big dogs" and as a "big dog" I got entry but so did every other "big dog". The field was stacked with many top domestic riders. It was actually my first race riding for Crimson Performance Race Team and was also my first race on my new Cipollini bike.
With 21 months off racing it's hard to know quite how well I'm going but my training has been consistent and good for the last year so I was cautiously optimistic. I needn't be however because just 23 minutes into the race my front brake disconnected from the frame. This was obviously a catastrophic mechanical (see image below) and I had to DNF. Really not how I wanted to start racing, I didn't even get to complete one lap so still no idea how my legs are going.
Bit of a shame but I nervously descended back to HQ before returning to watch the rest of the team compete. Isaac managed to get into the winning break placing a highly respectable 5th. This was in part due to Joey and Toby monitoring attacks from the bunch making a nice team performance.
This race was only open to "big dogs" and as a "big dog" I got entry but so did every other "big dog". The field was stacked with many top domestic riders. It was actually my first race riding for Crimson Performance Race Team and was also my first race on my new Cipollini bike.
With 21 months off racing it's hard to know quite how well I'm going but my training has been consistent and good for the last year so I was cautiously optimistic. I needn't be however because just 23 minutes into the race my front brake disconnected from the frame. This was obviously a catastrophic mechanical (see image below) and I had to DNF. Really not how I wanted to start racing, I didn't even get to complete one lap so still no idea how my legs are going.
Bit of a shame but I nervously descended back to HQ before returning to watch the rest of the team compete. Isaac managed to get into the winning break placing a highly respectable 5th. This was in part due to Joey and Toby monitoring attacks from the bunch making a nice team performance.
Whoops...
