BeMC - Belgian Mountainbike Challenge 2017 Report

Back in February I had a pretty nasty collision with a tree resulting in tissue damage around my pelvis which meant missing out on the start of the race season and a fair bit of time off the bike, such that for a while I was not sure I would be ready for the BEMC. Fortunately with three weeks to go and with a change of aim I was happy I would be able to cover the distance and this was to be my goal, just see how my body reacted to each stage, enjoy it and finish.

The race started with the easiest of the three stages covering 88kms and 2400 meters of climbing in stage one. Stage two was a step up from stage one with 100kms and 3200 meters of climbing and stage three was a tough 75kms with 2500 vertical meters. The terrain each day is pretty much constant up and down, a lot of climbing which became steeper as the stages went on and fast descents.

Stage One

I was questioning how I was going to feel when racing- was I going to be lacking speed which meant I would not be able to hold on at the start but maybe it would be a bonus in the long run or was I going to hold on for a bit then drop off. I was therefore really chuffed with how I felt on stage one, stronger than I had expected. I enjoy my racing best when it is close and it was great having a couple of ladies to be racing against all stage, As the stage unfolded myself and Sophie found we were very similar in speed and strength and we raced a lot of the stage together keeping the pace up, constantly trying to catch up to the group in front as we knew there were a couple more ladies not far ahead and at times we got close. It was a strong finish and it felt great to be able to push hard up the final climb. We finished 9th and 10th in the end just a few minutes apart.

Stage two was my favourite stage for its route, the longest stage but it had some really fun riding and included a tiny bit of the Houffalize XC World cup course, varied terrain and trails. I was really enjoying the close racing, I felt stronger than the previous day and myself, Sophie and another lady were in 6th, 7th and 8th, we were pushing each other hard but still using one another to keep the pace up. I was interested to see how the stage would unfold but then my chain snapped about a third of the way through the stage. Even though I had a speed link taped to my bar I was not efficient at fixing it and lost more time than I should have. Once back on the trail I managed to keep positive and dig deep chasing the whole time counting my way back up the women’s field (I had dropped to 14th). I knew I could still get a good overall position - it is a three day stage race after all. At the end I was pleased with how I kept the pace up and managed to work my way up to 9th. Going into stage three I was 9th overall just 30 seconds down on Sophie who was sat in 8th.

Stage three and my legs did not feel good from the start, the start felt faster and I was in bits trying to keep on the ladies wheels, I stuck it out and found I was beginning to feel better an hour into the race. Although unsure I was going to keep up this brutal pace till the end, the stage was going ok - until my chain snapped again. The chain link that was put on the day before had broken. It should have been an easy fix but I was having a mare with the double ring and clutch which made the tension so tight on the chain and it kept pinging apart and unravelling. Once fixed and back racing, my head went, I was fed up. I had pushed so hard to keep up and this time my mental attitude was not great, I really just wanted to pull out. I didn't but I also didn't push as hard and finished the stage 12th and 11th overall.

Overall verdict.

I have a lot of positives to take from the race and apart from a really disappointing finish I do really love this race. It is hard but it is also fast and fun racing. The repetitive climbs one after the other hurt but at the end of each stage there was such a friendly buzz. On the whole lots of smiles.

The organisation is great and apart from one unclear arrow where a few went wrong on stage two the course was really well marked. Bottle drops at the feed zones, a bike wash and showers, pancakes and a drink at the end of each stage were great as people chilled on the grass chatting about their day. It was also dry which is always a huge bonus - especially when the forecast had been thunderstorms and rain for the three days. It is a race I can see myself and Mark returning again too. If you fancy a go at stage racing this is a great one to do, just don't underestimate it. It is tough at the time and can leave you feeling tired for days but also wanting to return.