Morvélo Test Team

See the other Test Team Riders 
« Back to blog

Race Smart

Picture_84

True to form I turn up late and I'm already having to sprint just to catch up with the bunch.

It's my first road race of the year at the Hillingdon Circuit and there is something about that place that makes me late. I roll up to the start line and some helpful 4th Cats point to the 3rd Cats racing off into the distance. Binning the jacket I sprint into an bitterly cold headwind whilst grappling with putting on my gloves. Almost a lap later I'm finally back on. The legs already feel dead and the tickle at the back of my throat lets me know that cold hasn't fully gone. Fitness not quite as it should be. That's always the excuse. The overheard carpark chat was of a dry, mild winter - so everyone is on form. And it's the penultimate race of the winter series so there will be some strong riders in there. Time to race smart. As I see it I only have a handful of matches to burn. This is my visualization for intense efforts. Blazing bright before it's gone for good. I best use them wisely.

So there I sit. At the back. Lap after lap. I almost feel guilty not contributing to the pace. I keep a close eye on things. See whose doing lots of work at the front, who looks fast, who looks sketchy. Assessing the field. Not that I had grand plans. I had a few good results last year when I least expected it so now I'm ever an opportunist. You'll notice the only photo I appear in is at the finish. Hiding. The strong cold headwind put paid to any thoughts of breaks. A few tried but were pulled back quickly. In a rare move to the front of the field I saw a move go that thought would stick so used up some vital energy to bridge across. Glancing back I saw the whole bunch on my wheel. Time to sit at the back again. Lets make that just one match left to burn.

I kept a close eye on the time, seeing that the 50 minutes was almost up and the countdown of 5 laps would begin. I took this time to figure out what line I would take when it would inevitably end in a bunch sprint. Need to get this right as they don't nickname these races 'Spillingdon' for nothing. I either need to be at the front or out the back.

As the laps tick down I place myself on the outside. Don't want to be boxed in and it gives me an escape in case of a crash. Last lap. Speed ramped up. One guy goes for a flyer. Two corners and 500m left as before I know it I spot a gap and I'm full gas, sprinting as hard as I can round the outside. Last match is blazing as I'm in full on track sprint. 'You damn fool Pepper!' I said to myself. I've got a good gap but 500 metres is a long sprint. Too long by far. I sail past the guy who made his bid for victory earlier and try and stay strong and smooth. Pedal circles not squares.

I can see the line. Head down and waiting for the bunch to spring past. Surely they must be here. But nothing. Silence. Damn! I could win this! Until that is until I heard the tell tale rumble of carbon wheels approaching as fast as I'm fading. The brain calls out to the legs to MTFU but it's no good. They put up a good fight but I'm beaten on the line. Still, I stoked with 2nd! In fact I can't believe it.

On reflection I'm so happy with this race. Sure, a win would have been nice, but throughout the whole race I felt like the spring wasn't there. It felt a struggle, even sheltering in the peloton. Luckily the years of racing are paying off. Learning more about the craft of road racing is serving me better these day than my fitness. Sitting back and watching the Tour of Qatar I'm glad the season of racing is back. I never realised I missed it so much.

Photo © Antony Edmonds

Posted by Morvélo