NCRA Handicap Road Race Rd 1, 8 Mar 2020

On Sunday it was my first road race of the season and my first race as a junior with my cat 3 licence. I went into it with no expectations as I had no idea how the race would play out. As it was a handicap, I was started in the 4th group to leave. We had a fast pace from the line but rarely worked together. I kept out of the wind as much as possible to save power. The main hill on the course got harder every lap but I got myself to the front so that as I went up the hill I could drift back and not have to go quite as all out. I held the pace as the fast guys joined in on the last lap and got myself into the perfect position to start my sprint from. Unfortunately, as soon as I got out of the saddle to sprint, my legs cramped and refused to work so I went from 5th wheel to the back of the group. I finished 18th after pootling up the hill in my easiest gear which for the first race I'm pleased with. I think the cramp was from the fact I've not gone that hard for that long for a while so it was a shock to the system. With more training and racing hopefully I will have legs to sprint with at the end of the next race.

Ollie Maynard

Photo: Mel Evans