Now physics dictates that being a small rider weighing in at a featherweight 47kg means that flat circuit racing is probably never going to be a major strength of mine. But so what, it's all racing and I figure you won't get any better and develop further as a rider by sticking to the things that you're comfortable with or the things you're good at!
With that in mind Wednesday saw a 3 hour training ride in the morning followed by the first of the University of Exeter Cycling Club - Westpoint Circuit Races in the evening. The weather was poor making for a pretty cold and wet race but it was good racing all the same. The pace was lively from the off and having put in some strong attacks during the race it was the inevitable bunch sprint at the end where I held out for 7th place(TBC).
Thursday evening saw better weather and a quick jaunt up the motorway to Taunton and on to Ilton for race 1 of the Team Tor Circuit Series. Being new to all this and never having raced at Ilton I was surprised at how busy it was - there was a real buzz to it! Time to break out the new bike...
I was racing in the E/1/2 category and after an improvised warmup around part of the circuit it was time to head over to the start. The race was pacy from the off with a breakaway forming almost immediately with riders from the Bikeshed-UEX and Starley teams.
I settled in towards the front of the bunch and did good work on the front. As the race progressed the breakaway split with the Starley riders being brought back whilst the Bikeshed-UEX team were joined by Marcin Bialoblocki the Velosure-Giordana rider and stayed away for the remainder of the race.
I ended up finishing somewhere in the main bunch but was happy to have simply held my own on such a flat course and learnt a thing or two along the way...was good fun and I'll definitely be doing more circuit racing, if only for training....just need to build some more power!
Next stop is the Tom Hawkins Spring Classic Road Race on Sunday - can't wait - more on that after the weekend...