Race Preview - Euro Cross Duathlon, Riva Del Garda

Friday will be my fifth international race this year. The ETU European Cross Duathlon Age Group Championships in Riva Del Garda, Italy.

I have no idea how this one is going to go. My tummy is still not 100% from Belgium and I haven't ridden my mountain bike at any sort of technical or intense level since Ibiza. 

There are only 5 registered starters in my age-group, of which 2 are Brits. I fully expect to be 5th.  Three of them are previous podium winners, and the 4th is a road duathlon podium level athlete at this level. 

I have to finish to auto-qualify for next year. I also want to race well. And there is always a chance that something goes wrong with one or more of the other racers and it wouldn't take a significant mechanical for me to be in with a podium chance.


Here are my targets:

0. Don't get injured. 

    I still have another International races coming on Sunday, which is arguably more important. I am more interested in finishing both than doing well at one. I then have a string of smaller events coming that I don't want to miss.

1. Race well. 

    Not very specific, but basically I just want to come away without having a sulk about how I rode or ran.

2. Finish with my average percentage at this level. 

    I finished at 81.8% in my previous ETU Cross Duathlon and 85.7 and 76.4 at my two ITU Cross Duathlons, so an average of 81.3%. That would have me finish in 4th place. 

3. Finish with my best percentage at this level.     

    76.4% would be 4th place out of the 5 starters.

4. Finish in my average place at this level. 

    Well that would be 9th, out of a field of 5 that should be pretty safe. I was tempted to pre-colour this in green, but that is tempting fate about finishing.

5. Finish in my best place at this level. 

   Again 6th out of a field of 5 that should be pretty safe. I was tempted to pre-colour this in green too, but that is tempting fate about finishing.

6. Finish in my best place at any international

    Again 6th out of a field of 5 that should be pretty safe. I was tempted to pre-colour this in green too, but that is tempting fate about finishing.

 

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