European Powerman Championships 2011 - Holland 17 Apr '11
The start was comical. The startline was less than 4 athletes wide so it took ages to cross the line and the leaders were gone so I had some work to do to bridge the gap to the frontrunners in the first 1k. This was ass but luckily I was feeling good so it didnt kill me. The organisation of these races is first class but that startline is plain stupid in a championship race.
I learned a lot about PM biking at this event. Its fair but tatical and you need to play the game a bit to succeed or a big group will overhaul you after doing lots of work on your own. 8 guys caught me at the halfway point so I matched their pace and came home with them.
I was quick through transition and got out ahead of all 8 guys and I was away running well. I don't often get stitches and I hadn't eaten or drank too much but it just happened and my speed dropped for about 2k to 4k and I lost 2 places but it passed and I started to make up places again. Bizarrely the race leader who had lapped most of the field just sat on my shoulder for his final lap and let me do all the work (He did not lap me though!).
I finished 6 minutes quicker than last year which is massive and felt like I was in the the thick of it this year. I finished in 14th place which is not bad in the Eurpoean Championships and I can feel that I can improve greatly on this performance. Even though it was a really tough days racing I enjoyed it more than I have enjoyed a race for years and I can't wait for my next big race on the continent in a few weeks, Powerman Italy.
