Professional.Racer.

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BY: Mark Spratt

Published: 18th April, 2011

Like many I'm both of these but unfortunately I can't put the 2 words in the same sentence. Were I able to then visiting Beijing and Shanghai last week might have meant riding the Olympic XC course or driving round the Grand Prix track (perhaps both if I were Mark Weber). Alas, for me I was to see only the inside of hotels and meeting rooms plus a very tall building that looks like a bottle opener and in a 5 day trip spend over 30 hours in the air. Clearly then not the best preparation for the Dalby round of the NPS but I was determined to attend for 2 reasons - firstly I love the course and secondly it was to be Mel's first race there since breaking her pelvis during World Cup practice almost a year ago. Fortunately my employer was understanding of this second need and scheduled my flights to get back to Cardiff on Friday, leaving time for the journey to Dalby and some course practice time on the Saturday.

 

Having had 5 days off the bike and the 24 hour champs looming I had decided to get a long ride in again on the Saturday. I expected to pay for this during Sunday's race but was again taking the longer term view, so following 2 practice laps with Mel I headed off on the Dalby red route clocking up almost 4 hours of riding. Once back at the van the customary bowl of pasta was consumed and final preparations made for Mel's 9:30 race the next day.

 

Despite the potential jet lag I slept well that night and woke early. My role that morning was to bottle and provide pit assistance to Mel who did fantastically on a tough course, overcoming her demons to finish 6th in the Elites. Come 2:30 and it was Mel's turn to bottle for me. I lined up on the second row of the grid ready for the start and as the starting pistol fired I surged forwards. I missed a pedal at this point but still entered the singletrack in a good position, just outside of the top 10. My aim for this race was to hold a second row gridding, figuring that I'd then be well placed for round 3 at Wasing with the 24 hour champs in the past and (hopefully) some speed in my legs. As the first lap progressed I found myself moving through the field and was surprised to be told I was in 5th position at the end of the lap. I was able to hold this position for 3 laps but come lap 4 my legs felt heavier than I ever remember and just completing the 2 main climbs was a challenge. I dropped 5 whole places during that last lap and was pleased to hold onto a top 10. Had the course been any longer than UCI guidelines suggest I certainly wouldn't have with Pete Dawe rapidly approaching!

 

Before the race Jay Horton, Martyn Salt and I were discussing the benefits of occasionally turning the screw so tight it snaps. I usually ride within a "comfort" zone, even when racing and at round 1 in Sherwood Pines felt as though I could have ridden several more laps. At Dalby I doubt I could have completed another lap; I couldn't even muster the strength to call to back markers I was passing!

 

So I've done the racer bit. Let's now see how professional I can be as I try to keep my eyes open in the office!

Thanks to my sponsor One Industries and the Cardiff JIF.