More World Cup Racing in Europe

Mike and I have figured out that the best way for us to get fast is to race consistently against high level competitors.   Central Europe has no shortages of such races on any given weekend as the proximity of countries backed by nationalistic cycling support programs, and brimming with a history of bruising from cross border rivalry, demand it.  There is little wonder that Europe is really the most competitive place to race mountain bikes.  

A well attended MTB World Cup race in La Bresse, France.

Most recently Mike and I  competed in 8 elite UCI races in the 9 weeks we were in Europe, tasting the dirt in Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, and France.  Racing in each country helped to remove us from the comfort zone we have acquired around the races and  gave us something of an idea of what it is to be a competitive cyclist in various countries. It really gave us the chance to intermingle with a tremendous number of new and exciting people/ places that we would have never likely seen.   We learned an awful lot about how far we can get as a couple of Americans racing our mountain bikes in Europe and  came out with a refined  perspective on what is possible and what is intelligently possible with our two person racing program.

Mike tunes Mary's race bike in the local campground.

With our two person hyper mobile RV attack program at our disposal Mike and I have had easy access to our choice of pertinent competitions and have been re-relocating  to different countries with our comfort levels intact (or at least familiar) each weekend.   The weeks between these competitions were cramped affairs as life in the RV can be significantly altered when rain and cold weather persist. In the end it was probably the best thing to just rest and recover more than train, although we often heeded the beckoning epic terrain that was calling outside our front door.  

Sometimes you have to break the rules...

We spent as many nights as possible up in the mountains to get in some form of elevation training.  It was a special challenge to make the long winding drives up to these mountain passes, but we always appreciated the an extra quiet place to spend the night and were looking to manifest the best form we could for the soon upcoming selection races.  It was also helpful to be near the snow pack on several occasions as we could more conveniently keep the ice to tend to our swollen & bruised bits.   With the methodic preparation and little else on our minds our fitness improved and we seemed on track to bring some excellent form to the final 2 Olympic qualification races in the Czech Republic and France…

Swelling control after ridiculously muddy Italian MTB Alpago race...

Competitively The World Cups tend to bring out the A game in most athletes and so it was impressive to see the the added Olympic pressure bring yet another up tick in competitiveness.  This year we rode with an increased feeling that every little space on the course was jammed with someone else trying to come upon their fairy tale olympic dream spot.  The sheer nationalism and intercountry rivalry really seemed to help turn the screws of motivation throughout the world cup series this season.  

The World Cup series itself has been effectively working to evolve its own image into a more exciting, spectator friendly sport.  The new generation races take place on shorter laps , contain steeper, and more technically demanding segments that are pushing the envelope for XC rider's technical skills as well as adding excitement for athletes and race fans alike.   There are some who would prefer to have cross country racing stay closer to it's more drawn out and endurance based roots though few would deny that this new XCO format is more fit to be seen. 

World Cup #3, Nove Mesto Na Morave, Czech Republic (May 14, 2012)

It was our third time racing in the Czech Republic and we were looking forward to the hilly little course riddled with the roots of a dark pine forest.  Man made rocky tech features, abrupt log ledges and even little gap jumps characterized the tight swooping trails.  The spectator friendly multi loop format seemed to work for the fans who came out in big numbers to see the cross country specific event.   Mike and I loved the back in time quietness that we felt upon crossing the border into Czech Republic, complete with the convenience of a remote camp spot in the woods where we were an easy bike ride but far enough away from to the bustle of the venue.   

100 meters into the fast pavement start of the elite women's race there was a pack crash that took me down hard. Due to a riders twitchy swerve across the tight accelerating pack of sprinting women.   I mostly remember the horrible sounds of skidding while I was busy going over my bars onto the downed riders and bikes on the pavement in front of me - I hit the deck HARD and only my fear of getting run over by the pack from behind had me jumping quickly to my feet,  I wrenched my still functional bike from the pile got on, found I could pedal and just started to ride away from the hurt of the impact. 

Mind over matter...

Endorphins filled me and the pain of my crash dissipated as I grappled for that mind over matter flow aimed at getting back into the racing at hand.   I soon caught the back of the pack and moved forward passing riders when ever possible on the wider parts of the course.  My power felt  good and I was recovering quickly from hard climbing efforts and attacks so I knew the fine tuning and racing regimen we had been on for the  past few months was working out and my race form was good. 

In the end, I can only speculate how things might have gone down if I had a clean start, but oh yeah, I guess that's racing…  I was glad to at least have salvaged a strong 31st place finish after such a disaster at the start.   Post race, the pain set in down my entire right side which took the brunt of the impact.  I was sore, cut up and discoloring with heavy bruising but still feeling lucky to not have to be visiting the hospital on this one.  

Despite Mike's plea for me to rest up back in the RV, I hobbled down to the track side after a few minutes alone to clean my wounds and begin swelling control.   There was no way I was going to miss mike and the men's field contest this exciting course even if it was with 6 ice packs on various parts of my body.  What I saw immediately reminded me that the start its the first important selection point of the day and that without a good start everything is going to be WAY more challenging.  I could see that Mike was riding really well but only just beginning to recover from being caught up in race traffic due to his pack start position.   It was a spectacular course to watch as well as for Mike to take advantage of the advanced features to move up on his competition.   

Mike making his way through the pack

It was a tough week in the RV as we made our way across Europe to La Bresse, France.  I was suffering from bumps and bruises, some sort rib displacement, whiplash, as well as being in lower than cheery spirits by the outcome of the previous weekend.  Everything was all about recovery, managing the pain and swelling, while trying to remain positive and open to having a good showing when I felt pretty bad.  I was limited in what I could do without pain and feeling very lucky that I could pretty much do everything I needed in the RV with out really moving around at all.  Even as I took every effort to take care of my banged up body and speed my recovery, I knew it was going to be a long shot to be 100% by Sunday…

World Cup #5, La Bresse, France (May 20, 2012)

The technical rocky course with a long climb and descent at this new WC venue made a big impression on the riders and did not disappoint the 20,000 who came to see the event.  It was a natural track weaving up the town's hillside in one formidable push.  Nice that it contained enough technical elements to make it something special rather than just plain difficult.  I waited until Friday to look at the course, needing every hour to heal up... but could tell by Mike's smile when coming back from his initial course evaluation that it was a good one. 

The video footage that Mike brought back really gave me a look at an exceptionally challenging course - and one that would cater to only the most complete rider.    As my energy for the hard bumpy riding was limited, it was quite helpful to be able to watch the footage of the racing and dial in some lines before I even rode it.

Here we are the afternoon before the French World Cup.  As ready as could be...

A heavy rain pounded the RV keeping us more wakeful than usual the nights before big races.  I knew the track was going to be extremely slick and dangerous even before seeing the carnage from the 9am junior race.  Luckily the sun came out and helped the juniors to dry the track for the elite women's  11 am start time…  

I lined up on the 4th row of 10, all crammed in as the gun went off… Unfortunately I could not help but be a bit tentative on the paved straightaway start, enclosed by metal barriers, still feeling my injuries from a similar scenario just 7 days prior.  Thoughts of self preservation flashed for just a second and I was somewhere back in the 60s - not where you want to be at the bottom of the long and narrow technical single track climb.  I was now unable to ride because the pace surrounding me was a sea of walking riders.  Though this was not ideal I used motivation to dig deep and pass people when possible on the narrow single track and was happy to feel that underneath everything, my form was good.  

The demanding course took it's toll on many.  There were more mechanical problems and bloodied riders than at any of the other WCs in recent memory!    Sketchy chutes seemed to be enough to take down even the best riders including the world cup winner Julian Absalon who took a solid tumble over the bars on his way to victory.   It was enough course for me to reopen an elbow wound, but all and all it was a minor spill compared to last weekend's.   I was able to push through the 5 laps successively faster and more confidently, finishing in 26th place, as the 3rd American.

A little blood, a lot of sweat. Smiling at the end of a difficult WC race in La Bresse.

Mike was caught in tighter than typical race traffic at the start and unfortunately this resulted in a smashed wheel on the opening lap.   He managed to tiptoe to the pit, but by this time, the leaders were entering into their 2nd lap and Mike was going to have to move quickly to get in a few laps before getting pulled.  On the good side it was great to see him freed up to really race… from dead last place he rode into finish a respectable 86th.  He was disappointed in how it unfolded but happy about his experience of riding the course overall.

A super cold post race leg soak can be good therapy.

We are glad to currently have a brief period to rest then train up before we hit the road again for the continuation of the XC race season with some of our favorite World Cup race venues of all time.   We are especially looking forward to the competition in our own time zone with the next two rounds of the Wold Cup in Mont Ste Anne, Quebec and Windham, NY.  It is always an advantage to race near home for so many reasons.   We are both inspired being back on North American soil, knowing how good we mountain bikers have things across an expanding portion of the states!

Honored to be a part of this great community of cyclists that we can call our people!   Thank you to all those who take part in cycling for a positive way or use the bike to do better for yourself and others.  hope to see you out on the trails!  

Ride On! 

Mary and Mike

Team KENDA/Seven/NoTubes

Our trusty steeds...

Huge THANKS to ALL Our Great Sponsors who have made this journey possible!! :-)

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