This was my first race of the season and first ever criterium so my only goal was to not crash and finish with the main bunch. There were a few scary moments including one where I went on the attack and tried to pedal around a tight corner and my pedal hit the ground and the numerous times we went into the hairpin so tightly packed together.

After about 20 minutes two riders went off the front and I joined them. We stayed clear for about 10 minutes but were inevitably caught. After that I just stayed in the pack and as the end was nearing made my way up to the front (not as easy as the pros make it look!). I was third in line coming out of the last hairpin but didn't have the finishing speed to hold that position. Maybe if I hadn't attacked earlier on...

It was a fantastic race and really enjoyable. I also managed to secure some points for finishing in the top 10 :).

Stay tucked away in the bunch till the final sprint for the line. I think this kind of race will always end in a bunch sprint so it's just a case of saving energy till the end.

Inability to train on the bike since Tuesday due to illness and lack of exeriance.


Long que for registration (only one table!) and the event was a good 40 minutes late.