I returned from Italy 2 weeks ago, it was difficult for me to recover physically and mentally, in fact I decided to look for a sports psychologist to work with until the Spanish Championship, I wanted to give my all.
The Spanish Adaptive Cycling Championship is held in the province of Málaga, the time trial on May 28 in Cártama and the road test in Alhaurín de la Torre on May 29. Both routes suit me a lot since they have demanding ramps, a terrain where the ground defends me well.
These last few days I have increased the watt intensities to feel more of the sensations of racing and I have rested a lot since they say that the best training is rest. I arrived a couple of days early in Cártama accompanied by my good friend José Manuel Carcasona, a talisman in the Spanish Championship, we always go together. We reviewed the circuit and it is undoubtedly more demanding than expected. We must go around the route 3 times, until completing about 17 km, passing through a 600-meter slope at 6-7% that, when repeated so many times, becomes selective.
After the bad international results, I have the need to have a good Championship, self-pressure is important but I try to control it by saying «the secret is that you enjoy yourself.» The night before the competition I sleep better than on other occasions, this is always a sign that things can go well. The departure time is delayed, I pedal for more than 1 hour on the trainer warming up and the handbikes have not yet left. They confirm my departure time and I speed up the warm-up with the last changes of pace. I headed towards the ramp. I am 4th last, ahead of last year’s podium. It crosses my mind that I might bend but I will sell the situation dearly.
3, 2, 1 and it started with a pause, a few meters later there is a turn to the left that reduces the speed, I don’t want to burn cartridges, I have to make a time from less to more. After several complicated turns they face the first powerful ramp. I lower the plate and increase the cadence and intensity of the watts. I finish the ramp and go down the descent into an open grave. I change to the big chainring once the handbike is launched, I don’t want mechanical problems. I reach the final curve of the descent and the Quickie RS Attack passes like on rails along the asphalt, it is incredible like speeding through a curve. I try to regulate the intensity, there is a lot of time left. Complete the first lap.
I face the powerful ramp of the second round. In the distance I observe the runner who preceded me at the start, “let’s go after him” I tell myself. I try to increase watts on the ramp but I don’t exceed those of the first lap. I launch into the descent and shortly before turning the corner I overtake the runner in front of me. I regulate the intensity, I don’t lower the watts, the pulse is high and my sensations are good but lactic acid begins to make an appearance in my arms. It is the moment of truth, it is the moment to know how to suffer.
I complete the second lap and go for the last one. I give it my all on the ramp but I lower the watts of the first few laps. The negative thoughts appear “you have tried to go from less to more and you have not been able to achieve it”, the fights saying “but you are enjoying it, you are having a good time, give it your all and it will be seen, GOMOOOOSS”. The last kilometers are vital, I don’t want to lower the intensity. I overtake several runners and face the last meters using the little energy I have left. I don’t want to finish like in Maniago’s time trial, with the feeling of being able to give more of myself. I cross the finish line and finish exhausted. I talk to myself but I’m not able to catch my breath. It takes me several minutes to be a person and after greeting several friends, I head to the motorhome to meet with José Manuel. He has been vital in the time trial, he has been telling me times of the main rivals. We are nervous waiting for the results. José Manuel comes and goes from the start and brings no news. After a while he comes back seriously and tells me “first, you have won.”
My joy is enormous. We hug. After a season with ups and downs, I achieved victory in the event I like the most, the time trial. We have overcome the difficulties thanks to the team of friends and professionals with whom I have surrounded myself. The year began in the worst possible way, with the death of my father, the victory is dedicated to him, wherever he is, today he will feel proud of his son.
I go to the awards ceremony and receive many congratulations. I share with Sergio Garrote, H2 Champion, the jersey and the medals. I’m in a cloud. It has been a difficult year and I receive the reward. Thank you all for your encouragement and drive, this victory belongs to everyone. THANK YOU
At the end of the awards ceremony we headed to Alhaurín de la Torre. Tomorrow we are going on the route. A route that favors me and is a great opportunity to achieve victory. I sleep badly. The nerves and tension of the previous day have prevented me from resting but the joy overcomes any difficulty. I have to go enjoy the road test.
The departure takes time to occur. They say that the Civil Guard does not authorize the tour. Suddenly, they tell us that the route is reduced, they have eliminated a stretch of uphill road and the race will be along an avenue from roundabout to roundabout. My least favorite type of test. The laps multiply, the kilometers are reduced and my racing tactics disappear. My indignation is enormous. I cannot understand that these things happen in a Spanish Championship. Months later they explained to me that the Civil Guard had not received the notice of the career cuts due to a computer attack.
We will stand at the starting line. The H1, athletes with greater disabilities, start 1 minute ahead of us. Our start is joint, H3 with H4, something not normal in any handbike race. We start uphill, which suits me, but after 300 meters we find a 180-degree turn where we reach several H1s. A blockage forms, my passage is blocked while other H3 and H4 overcome the obstacle. An important gap opens up at the exit of the curve. Throw the handbike with all my strength. I try to reach their height but several H4s drag several H3s and more space opens up.
I’m going strong but another runner overtakes me a few meters before reaching a quick pace through the roundabout, I can’t believe it. The rival enters so hard that he cannot make the turn, he brakes but it is too late, he hits the curb and the handbike is at a 90 degree angle. The tubular bursts next to the wheel, the noise shakes me and I watch the accident in slow motion. I overcome the curve and try to go for the leading group but I can’t stop thinking about what I’ve experienced. If it will be okay, if something has been broken. I hear the ambulance sirens. I don’t give up trying.
The H4s drag the H3s, in theory that is not legal, you cannot catch wheels between riders of different categories. “If it continues like this, I’m going to be exhausted and I won’t have any chance of reaching the lead” I think, so he decided to wait for collaboration from behind. Soon the H5s appear, in theory I can’t take their wheel but if they are doing it up ahead, I decided to proceed the same. The uphills are done by the H5 (they pedal seated), the downhills are done by me (I pedal lying down and with less friction in the wind). We maintain the distance with our heads but we cannot reduce meters. Little by little the forces are diminishing and the distance with respect to the first is widening. I finished in 4th position in my category.
Without a doubt, the road test of the Spanish Championship has been a series of absurdities. The reduction of the route at the last minute, the start of the H1 ahead of the H3 and H4, the possibility of taking wheels between different categories are variables that have determined the development of the Championship. In the end, they are still excuses for a defeated athlete but I hope they draw conclusions, learn and not repeat so many mistakes in the most important event in Spain in Adaptive Cycling.
We returned home with a Spanish Champion jersey and the gold medal, results that I did not see viable 2 weeks ago and that reward the work of the entire year. I have a desire to achieve better international results, so my work will be aimed at achieving this. Thanks for your support.
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