I’ll begin this blog by talking about our team win on 5th May. It was a local race, in Calatorao in Aragon. The race was short, just 85kms, and predominantly flat with strong crosswinds. So, in short, in the second half of the race we drove it into the crosswinds, to keep our team sprinter sheltered and in the best position then we lead him out to take the win! The team dominated the race so much that on the final lap, we split the group up and so the race finished with riders everywhere. It was a super strong showing from the team and great for the team to win another local race.
The following weekend, on Saturday 11th May, was in the afternoon in Mojados, which was a long 9 hour+ round trip from where we are based. This race was more or less 132kms with 5 main short climbs between 1.2-2kms. The weather was amazing, with my Wahoo cycling computer saying average 28 degrees, and 42 degrees sat on the start line! The team also gave us radios so I could test out my Spanish
I started the race really struggling on the first climb and feeling very bad. This was probably because it came after just 10kms into the race, and I like to have a long warm up, then by the second KOM point, I felt much stronger as it was 62kms into the race.
The route was amazing, I loved all the climbs, particularly the 4th 1.2km steep climb including pave. The kilometres passed by, riders continued to get dropped and I just felt stronger and had more confidence.
There was a small breakaway with some big teams in which stayed out, but coming into the final kilometres, I was in a great position for the sprint. There were many dodgy moments when there were almost crashes, until there was a big crash at 60kph, which I so narrowly swerved and avoided then lost my position a little for the sprint, to pick up 16th U23, which I am pleased with but still hungry for much more.
Unfortunately my mate, Josh Sandman, came down in that crash inside the final 2kms from the finish, so hopefully he can get well as soon as possible. We then only got back home after 1am, then I had to wake again just after 5am, to leave for Catalunya, so I had very little sleep.
This race was over 150kms with a couple of big climbs and 2,400m of elevation gain. It was a race more suited to me, but I was a bit tired from the previous day and a lack of sleep. However, I raced as if I hadn’t done so the previous day, to dedicate myself completely to maximising my performance.
I felt strong on the climbs in parts, then in other parts of the race, very weak. I had a big difference in my sensations, constantly up and down. I dropped back to the car for a second time for water, when the race split up randomly in a section where you would never expect, on the flat.
I was caught on the wrong side of this split, and so that was the competitive part of the race for me, over. I rode hard to the finish to take 36th U23.
I was just happy to finish both races from the weekend and over 280kms and over 7 hours of racing within about 22 hours time. Additionally, I loved both routes, there were amazing and Sundays race in Catalunya was particularly beautiful and one that will be hard to ever forget.
My next race is 129km in Segovia, which I am looking forward to.
Elliot Reed Cycling 