Bovingdon Bomber 2/3, 30 Jun 2021

I was hoping for a better day at Bovingdon on Wednesday as last week I had 2 races that didn’t go to plan. I had a good start and was in the top third in the bunch for the first 3 laps then some riders overtook me, but I was still in the main bunch. There wasn’t really anything exciting happening in the race, although there was a couple of people that tried to go off solo. With a headwind and a massive bunch chasing, they were soon pulled back in the bunch. We had a prime but I was out of the top 10 so I didn’t get any points but the bunch did break up a little so I was happy that I was in at the top end of the bunch and not stuck at the back chasing to get back on.

It was only when we had 15 minutes to go that the race sped up and it became quite ‘exciting’. Every single lap after this, riders attacked as we exited the hairpin. As this happened for 2 laps straight, I knew this was going to continue happening with the next lap or so to shake the bunch up one last time. Luckily, I was still able to hang on to the group. With 3 laps to go I knew I needed to be closer to the front as I was in a dangerous position, close to the back. However with 1 lap to go, I was still not near enough to the front (although I did move up a little closer) so as we were going around the hairpin I was looking for gaps so I could accelerate into them and move up.

After the last corner lots of gaps in the middle of the bunch opened up so I was wiggling through, until with 300 metres to go I was in the middle but on the second row. I was relieved that I was in a good position but it also meant it would be a harder for me to start my sprint first (which I had discussed doing with Tim before the race). I saw a rider to my right start the sprint with 200 metres to go so I followed the wheel. I was in 4th position with 30 metres to the finish line, but then a couple of riders overtook me. At the end, I finished 6th overall and first junior. I was very happy with my performance as this was the fastest race I have ever done and I also showed that I can sprint better than I thought. I am also 4 points closer to getting my cat 2! 

Amy Harvey