World Cup at Dalby

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BY: Melanie Alexander

Published: 28th May, 2011

What is it like racing your first world cup?
Amazing. Slightly unreal and very fast. Definitely no time for mistakes or lack of focus.



The first thirty riders are gridded on their lines and then it's a free for all as fifty other riders start squeezing up close subtly trying to push forward into the smallest of spaces whilst those who are unaware find themselves on the back line with the number 80 + number boards. The gun goes and it was the most manic sprint along a straight fire ride. A sudden change of directions by a rider and a tangle of bars and 15 odd riders are caught up in a tangle including quite a few regulars from the British racing scene. Quick spurt on the pedals to be then swallowed back up by the riders who are back on their feet even more fired up.  A left turn into the first section of single track and riders compress up again and at the rear it very quickly comes to a stand still while riders further up front detangle bar ends, get back to their feet and others continue to muscle forward. Out of single track through Dixon's Hollow and into the arena, riders are looking more strung out now and before I have had time to react I am pretty much at the back. Mental note - got to be feisty (plus warm up and train harder). First lap begins.


Annie Last finished 14th                              Lene Byberg (8th)
Photos by Neil Hendry

Bit more domino effect, wait patiently for room to attack and overtake, though when it comes every one else has the same plan. A fault by rider ahead means scramble up the rocks of the fire road, not a big hold up through Worry Gill then another dismount over the bus stop as one stop up front dominos back. Up the climb to Medusas where the leading under 23 woman shows style in how to gain spaces, follow her down medusas. The riders are more spread out now so no excuses of being held up just down to fitness, skills on bike and mental strength to try and regain spaces (or cling on).



Kathrin Stirnemann, 2nd in the under 23 race

Dalby world cup has been a long time coming for me, I can't work out if I had a good or a bad race as I have never raced a cross country race of this scale before. I wasn't too disappointed when pulled off the course at the end of the fourth lap as I wasn't expecting to complete all five laps, I just hoped and wanted to. The size of the event, the amount of spectators and actually being part of it was brilliant. Next time I will aim higher.  
I do believe if I rode more confidently like I was riding Dalby at the national I might have squeezed the fifth lap in. I think the whole scale of race, the level of the riders, only one practice lap on the Saturday and the mental hang up I have with the bus stop did hold me back.
Me - 75th

The bus stop still gives me the jitters. I yelped and swore nervously each time I road it and it didn't sit comfortably with me. I know it is Ridiculous as it really isn't that bad (just got to carry momentum through it) but it was hard to banish from my mind a stumble which is still visual in my memory and caused a lot of pain. But I did ride it and shall ride it again and hopefully stop yelping.  I really enjoyed medusas drop I just need to learn to carry more speed down it now.

I definitely want to do another world cup, it would be pretty cool to go to a European one. Hopefully learn a little from this experience and not let too many wheels pass me by.  

The elite men's race was brilliant to watch. We watched it at Medusas drop where there was a fantastic atmosphere.



Amazing race by the Czech Jaroslar Kulhavy       Liam Killeen


Thanks to Neil Hendry from dirt wheel cycles for the photos of the women's race.

Thanks again to our sponsors: Xcracer, Gateway Cycles, Mt Zoom, Accelerade and Exposure lights.