JBG MTB Race - Ustron, Poland

Ben took it upon himself to take one last trip into Europe and take part in the final UCI Cat 2 race in Poland last weekend. Ben started his season back in February making his first season as a Senior a long one. 

Here Ben describes his race:

"It has been a hard season. Moving up to Elite from the Junior ranks has meant starting most races from the back of the field and it has been a steep learning curve, competing directly against the best riders in the UK and the World. 

Overall I had been pretty pleased with my first senior season, securing my first race win at Elite level and putting together some consistent finishes in the British Series. The one thing I hadn't achieved though was to get my first UCI points and get on the road towards competing in World Cups. I had a good chance in Israel earlier in the year with Paul, but a mechanical issue ended any hope of some points there. 

So it was that in mind that I decided with the team mechanic to make one last road trip to Poland to compete in their last UCI classed race of the season. 

2 days, 1000 miles and six countries later we arrived in Ustron, a small ski resort in Poland. The journey was not helped both of us getting a 24hr stomach bug, not the best way to spend a 2 day car journey! The following day I had recovered and we were able to see the course being marked out. It was evident it was going to be tough. Following a short start loop round the car park the course climbed up following the ski lift path before cutting into trees and continuing with a steep, technical climb before descending a very technical slope and leaving the trees to climb up the red ski run that headed down into Ustron. A further technical wooded climb was followed by a descent through the woods, onto the red run and over a northshore bridge before entering the arena to finish the lap. I wasn't able to practice the course until the next day but it was clear that following the rain the course was going to be virtually unrideable in places, the track being fresh cut through the trees was wet with lots of freshly uncovered roots on every corner. 

Practise day dawned a little brighter and the forecast for race day was pretty good, unfortunately much of the course was in the trees and it was unlikely to dry in there. Because the course was new, as predicted there were a few parts on the climbs in the trees that were unrideable, or at least quicker to run. The soil was clay and newly uncovered off camber roots made grip non existent. I decided to run with Rocket Rons as the more aggressive knobs gave me some grip on the grass climbs. 

Race day dawned sunny and -2 degrees, I felt I had a bit of a cold coming on but it wasn't on my chest so I didn't worry about it too much. We set the bike up with low pressures to get every last bit of grip from the tyres and as the race was called up the U23 riders were to start a minute behind the Senior Elite. The gun went , and as the race left the arena on the first of 7 laps I began the first lungbusting climb in 2nd place. By the time we entered the trees for the first time several riders had gone ahead of me and I had slipped to 6th, I was not going to panic though as I knew this was going to be a very tough climbing race and if I put too much in at the start it would cost me dearly later on. It had dried a little in the woods and most of it was just about rideable, however, staying upright on the treacherous roots was the first priority. By the time I took the final descent onto the northshore for the first time I had moved back up to 4th place. I was attacked on the big climb on lap 2 but I kicked back and extended the gap over 5th place. I was able to hold 4th comfortably and increase the gap over 5th place lap after lap until at the end of 7 short but incredibly tough laps I crossed the line in 4th place to pick up some prize money and more importantly my first UCI points. I would have liked to finish higher but the riders ahead of me were both older and already riding in World Cups so I was satisfied with my result. Even those few UCI points will make a real difference to next year as it will mean I get gridded higher in the national series. 

The next morning we left Ustron to begin the long drive back home and I was able to contemplate on an exciting first season filled with great experiences. I am taking two weeks off now before beginning my base training ahead of travelling to South Africa for the winter to train and race with my team mates Rourke Croeser and Paul Beales, something I am really looking forward to!"

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