Milton Keynes Bowl Spring Crit, 25 Apr 2021

I was excited for my first crit race since October, albeit a little nervous. I just a week before I had a crash which had shaken me a little and left me feeling very bruised! My pre-race prep session the day before revealed I hadn't 100% healed and my legs still felt a bit fatigued when I tried to put the power down. I knew I wouldn't be at my best but I wanted to give the race a go anyway.

I made sure to do a long warm up to try and get rid of the achiness, but I soon cooled down in the starting pen which was worrying. The race began and before I knew it the group was flying at 39kph. I found myself near the back as I wasn't quite ready, and as soon as we reached the first corner my confidence was gone! The combination of doing very few real group rides/chaingangs over lockdown and having a terrifying crash just 7 days before had really knocked me. I slowed down too much for the corners which only made my job harder to keep up with the speedy bunch.

A few laps of this was exhausting and demoralising. The group began to split but I found myself surrounded by about 5 other women who were the same speed. We stuck together and took in turns on the front. I felt like there was nothing left in my legs (and I knew I was too far off the back to catch the main group) but I did manage to get a good sprint finish in and overtake a few women from my group.

So although my first race back didn't go to plan, I know I gave it my best shot. Next time I hope to feel fresher from the start, but also I think it will take me a few races to get my confidence back with riding in a speedy bunch.

Frances Lammymann

Photo: Judith Parry