16th March '13 - Winter in the Park Series 9 - U16

[Matt W]

My strategy was to stay behind people until 3 laps to go then move up near the front for the sprint finish... well that's what I'd hoped.

This wasn't my best race, that's for sure. What with the weather being very windy, raining and cold and me being dehydrated (I didn't want to drink in the morning because I was worried I would need the toilet halfway through the race!!), cold, and not having warmed up while at the start line, you can guess I had a pretty bad start.
After two laps I was struggling to stay with the main group. I decided (it's not like I could stay on anyway) to hold back on my own and re-hydrate myself and warm up. It took about 20 mins (5 laps to go) before I started to get into a rhythm and by then the main group was about 1/4 of a lap ahead (lap is 2.9km long).

When I was riding on my own I decided to test out my TT position by pretending there were aero-bars on my bike and putting my arms out getting into a very low position. I don't know if this is what a TT position is on a normal road bike but it worked. I started to catch a couple of people (I don't know if they were in my category as U12 and U14 race at the same time) which boosted my confidence.
I realised that when I’m in the peloton, to go round corners we slow right down before going round, but when I was on my own I noticed I’m going around 90 degree corners at 28mph. I don't know if this is any good to have as a skill when racing?

Towards the end of the race I was thinking 'I don't want it to end'. I was closing down the gap with the main group and had got into a comfortable pace which I could easily of maintained. Unfortunately it had to end and with one lap to go I thought to myself, 'oh god, I’m going to come last, how am I going to tell Addiscombe'! I had just noticed that the main group was splitting up and someone had fallen off the back. I had half a lap to go and he was about 20 m in front of me so I decided to up the pace and try and catch him. My cornering definitely helped me gain some ground and the fact I was in a TT position probably also helped. I got round the final corner which has a steep(ish) uphill segment after it. I saw him struggling going up so I went up sprinting, onto the final straight, gaining on him, and just before the finish line gave him the title of last!
I was so happy and relieved I hadn't come last! This took my attention off the fact I hadn't done too well though.

On the drive home and had enough time to go through the race in my head and think what went wrong.
Next time I will have to drink in the morning and take my rollers so I can warm up. Don't worry, this hasn't put me off racing, I'll learn from this experience and hopefully get some good results for Addiscombe in the near future.
What went right was my cornering, I used to be scared of cornering because of slipping but with 4 weeks of going to Box Hill and coming down round the corners I had begun to love it!

You win some and you lose some!

U16 Boys
...
...
...
10th Mr Matthew Webber
...
out of 14.

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/event ... -9#results
(Updated to 10th, turns out I overtook more people than I thought!)

[Antloony]

Well done Matt for sticking with it and not quitting the race. Sounds like you turned it into a good training session. The results will come mate, just give it time. The good thing is is that your identifying where you need to improve and your taking positive steps towards getting better results. Having followed you a couple of weeks ago back up the Merstham drag you seem have a pretty good engine. Stick at it Matt, the results will come

oh and the write ups are improving, make good reading 9/10

[Andrew G]

Nice report Matt, as Ant says, good reading.

Things won't go to plan, but you adapted and learnt from the race which is always important.

Re riding with you forearms resting on the top of the bars in a simulated TT position, I'd wouldn't make a habit of it as it is frowned upon in bunch racing. Some officials may be okay with it as long as you are on your own, but others will warn you or worse. They like both hands on the bars in road racing for safety.

[Phil H]

[quote="Andrew G"]Nice report Matt, as Ant says, good reading.

Things won't go to plan, but you adapted and learnt from the race which is always important.

Re riding with you forearms resting on the top of the bars in a simulated TT position, I'd wouldn't make a habit of it as it is frowned upon in bunch racing. Some officials may be okay with it as long as you are on your own, but others will warn you or worse. They like both hands on the bars in road racing for safety.

[Toks]

Hi Matt, Mr Moany Old Git here!. But... nothing to moan about! What an epic report - loved it. As Ant has suggested you just need to keep racing whenever you can. Its all about practice practice and practice. Andrew's right about the TT position be careful - it might be seriously frowned upon especially in Youth/Junior races. Although I do it myself in Road Races but only if I'm off the front or trying to chase down a break away - never in a bunch or when doing thru and off. You're on a steep learning curve and you'll get better every race. Well done Dude

[Matt W]

I'm glad you all like the report, it took a while to think of what to put!

About the TT postion, I didn't use it going past the start as it is a small drag uphill and I didn't want to look like an idiot going up slowly in a TT postion!! I won't be doing it again though, if it means I could get disqualified; thanks for letting me know.

The results have updated to me coming 10th out of 14 so now i've come 10th twice. I think my next race I should aim to get into the single digits!

Happy cycling everyone!
Matt W