Race Review - European Cross Duathlon, Riva Del Garda

First up, I probably need to get in with our trip to Italy was ace. We had a great holiday, visited some beautiful places and really enjoyed ourselves. And I feel the need to get that out because the rest of this, and the immediate follow up of the triathlon, is pretty much a disaster in race terms. 

It was really hot. I have peace in hot conditions before and they don't normally bother me. It did bother the 60+ athletes as their bike distance got cut in half from 4 laps to 2. They were not happy about this.

When the briefing said they were putting 2 water stops on a 1,500m lap, so effectively giving us 8 water stops in a 6km first run, everyone was joking about drowning and whether they were actually trying to turn it into a triathlon. That humour evaporated by 400m in when we reached the first one and at least half the field (including me) took a bottle. More than a few of us took bottles at all 8 opportunities.

I also took my foot right off the pace. I tend to start cross duathlon races conservatively anyway as I know I need to be working 100% on the bike in order to be anywhere near. So I clocked 25:15 for a run slightly under 5k. 

We then headed out on the bike and it started with a mile and a quarter climb that took in 510ft of ascent (and a carry up a staircase). I took over 8 minutes to the top, and was losing out to some 60+ riders who were able to work harder knowing they were only going to be out in the heat for half as long. I was then passing people on the downhill. it wasn't particularly technical but it had some twists on cobbles and a short single-track section which some people were struggling through. 

Then I snapped my bike in half.

And it was as simple as that statement sounds. I wasn't on anything technical and I didn't crash it. There is a weld in the rear triangle that apparently decided this would be the ideal moment to fail through a fatigue crack.

And that was obviously race ending.

I was a bitted frustrated by it, but it wasn't my fault. And confirmed with two of the riders that were just behind me, that I didn't do anything wrong up to the point that it failed and then the sideways slide I took was actually surprisingly good control given how bad the failure was. 

But the real annoying bits we're still to come. I was lying fourth, at a European Championship and wasn't able to finish, so I don't get my finishers medal, or my automatic qualifying place for next year. Then I had to ride the Cross Triathlon on a hire bike, that story and all associated issues to follow. Then I have to get the bike repaired (and Whyte have stopped replying to me for nearly a week and 4 emails now).


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. - Technically a success, but injuring the bike had the same knock-on effect to the Cross Triathlon and the Scottish Cross Triathlon Championships anyway.

1. Race well. 

    Not very specific, but basically I just want to come away without having a sulk about how I rode or ran. - Ran okay, but no points for riding or finishing so can't really claim this one.


And everything from here is about finishing. 

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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