Elite British Championships 2021 Mallory Park, 10 Sep 2021

The last Super Series event of the year took place on Saturday, and I was competing in the last race of the day, just before sunset in the British Elite Junior and Senior Championships. I was very excited to be racing again, albeit a little nervous considering I was ‘lapped out’ of the previous Super Series race. 

As I was travelling from Devon, I left home around 8.00 am. It was a pleasant journey and we had oodles of time. However, when I checked my bike upon arrival, I noticed a small tear in the front tyre, where a stone had become lodged. I couldn’t risk getting a puncture, so I decided to change the tyre. Luckily, I had brought two spare tyres and three spare inner tubes just in case. As my bike maintenance skills are limited, I was a little worried I may have caused a ‘pinch puncture’ from putting the inner tube in wrong, but it managed to hold up. 

By the time my race started, I had forgotten about the tyre. I was now thinking about how it could possibly be a non-wetsuit swim - the water was freezing! Nevertheless, I swam well and even managed to pass a few people after the initial sprint. I also improved my time by around thirty seconds from the previous race. 

T1 was not so smooth. I was so focused on not being ‘lapped out’ on the bike, that I grabbed my bike without putting my helmet on first! An official shouted ‘helmet’ at me and I quickly obliged. I immediately thought ‘I’ve got a penalty’. Yet, I wouldn’t have to stand in the penalty box until the run, so I carried on. 

I was pleased with my bike leg. I worked with two other girls for the first two laps, each of us taking a turn at the front. However, I noticed that as we approached a corner, I would brake harder than they would, causing me to lose them slightly. I then had to work hard to catch them up on the straights and this continued for the rest of the bike. Nonetheless, I was not overtaken by the race leaders (i.e., not lapped out), so I was happy.

On the run I felt strong and relaxed and was able to gain a few places. I also saw that nobody had been given a penalty, so I was delighted. I finished the race in 24th position and with a big smile. It was my best Super Series performance this year. I am looking forward to Super Series racing next year, where hopefully I can improve on that position again.

Fiona German