ANDALUSIA BIKE RACE 2018 - Stage 2

BY: Melanie Alexander

Published: 26th February, 2018

Stage 2 was a typical mass start marathon race. Once more heading North out of Linares the start was similar to the first few kms of the time trial, only ridden faster in a large group than I had been capable on my own. There were the usual bottlenecks where the trail narrowed, steepened suddenly or was made impassable by a - puddle.

Mark caught me fairly early in the stage and I was able to join the train forming behind him, picking up the pace for a while. When the group broke up I was again on my own, going well until my pump came loose from it’s bracket. The Velcro strap held it but it was interfering with my pedalling.

Frustrated and with hulk-like strength (I was wearing JIF green) I yanked the pump off, snapping the strap. I lost a couple of places by stopping but was soon able to pull them back, though I was now getting held up on the single track through the volume of slower riders.

Without a chance to really attack the better sections I found it hard to maintain focus and the steep climbs later in the stage were tough going with my 32-42 set-up. I finished in 15th place, 3 up on yesterday but only gaining one place overall.

Now well fed I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s stage in Andujar, one of my favourite locations from previous events. I’ve fitted a 46t cassette so the climbs should hurt less and if the trails are as good as I remember I’ll be one happy girl.

Aside from Crispin, Mark and myself there are lots of other UK riders here. Ben Thomas and Richard Jones are having a good tussle in Elite, as are Marc Chamberlain and Jody Burnett in Master 40s. Charlotte Davis is leading Brit in Elite Women, in 10th among strong competition.

There’s live tracking and individual rider’s times and splits for anyone interested in following the race.