I had decided with my coach to participate in the first international event of the season in Brescia (Italy), 15 days before the goal of the season, the World Cup Time Trial in Maniago (Italy). Here you should pick up the point optimally for the next races.
A week after the Jerez Grand Prix, on April 29-30, the “Brescia Paracycling Cup” was held in northern Italy. On Saturday the 29th the time trial and on Sunday the 30th the road test. On Wednesday afternoon, April 26, I left Spain for Italy accompanied by my good friend and president of the Oscense Cycling Club, Miguel Bergua. 1200 km separated us from Brescia and we had to spend the night in French lands. We arrived in Italy on Thursday night, on time but with a considerable travel beating and I barely drove on the way.
Friday morning was activation and reconnaissance day for the time trial circuit. I was surprised by the lamentable state of the asphalt, with multiple holes, potholes, dangerous curves with gravel… we go all the way to have an accident. I doubted whether to mount the front lenticular wheel or not and in the end I decided to do it with Miguel, I saw podium options and decided to go for it, even though the route was very flat and short for my qualities.
The nerves got the better of me and I couldn’t sleep at night as I expected. At 6:00 in the morning the alarm clock rang, at 9:23 a.m. I had to start on time. It was Saturday, April 29 and it was my test. I had a test approach carried out with my coach, to go constant in watts to give my maximum in the last 2 kilometers.
After a 45-minute warm-up, I went to the start. Spiuk time trial helmet, my best clothes for the event. I started at the assigned pace. I maintained the watt pace on the first lap. The pulse was too low and that was a sign that he could give more. I picked up speed on the second lap as I watched the distance from the runner ahead of me, one of the favorites. As I approached the last 2 kilometers, my pulse, speed and watts accelerated, I wanted to give it my all.
After a 180 degree turn at a roundabout, the last bend, only the final two kilometers remained. I entered too quickly, the brake did not respond as I expected and I pressed it harder, blocking the front wheel that skidded on the asphalt. He was going straight to the protection fence when the tubular burst. I controlled the situation as best I could to avoid the blow and screamed in rage. My test was over.
Without a doubt I like the time trial more than any test. I compete against myself and not against others. I enjoy it and I like to give it my all but I was once again guilty of inexperience and I have already had many races. Just as in the Spanish championship a spin left me out of the fight for gold, here anxiety got the better of me. I took risks where it was not necessary, just like in the Spanish championship, I would not have gained 1 second by entering less quickly but it is difficult to learn and I hope the lesson is clear for the next times. Disappointed, they put me in an organization car and headed for the finish line.
Analyzing the power meter times, he would have been in contention for the medals. What can we do.
On Sunday, April 30, at 10:15 a.m., the road test took place. 8 laps of a 5.8 km circuit, total 46 km. Few to be an international test. The H5 (seated handbikers) came out first, 30 seconds later the H4 and 1 minute after the first the H3, my category. We are positioned in order according to the results of the previous day’s test, reselling the tubular is called one of the last. I position myself where no one wants, on the right side of the exit. 150 meters from the exit comes a sharp and dangerous 90-degree curve, leaving me a gap that no one wants, but I had observed that this curve has no sidewalk and that allowed me to make the tightest curve thanks to the versatility of the Quickie RS Attack . in these fights.
I start strong. Record peak watts this season. I maintain the intensity and enter the curve first. Incredible but true. When the closest one enters, I go out through the middle of the lane and position myself perfectly when suddenly runners pass me on both sides, I try to follow wheels but they go like rockets. The runners do not lower their intensity and I see that I lack fuel to face the slopes that are coming. 12 runners let me go on the hardest slope and I pedal again alone. I make several attempts to get back to the leading group but little by little the distances widen.
The same thing happened to me at the start last year at the World Cup in South Africa, I gave it my all in the first few meters and then I wasn’t able to withstand the group’s push after the bend. If everything had gone perfect in Jerez, not here. I learn my lesson again. In future races, I will apply the teachings.
I saw a group of H4s in the distance and reached them with effort. There was another H3 riding there, so I decided to spend a couple of laps together to regain sensations, getting out of the slipstream of the H4s since we cannot ride together riders from different categories. After a while, I took the initiative and started pulling the group, which caused the H4 to distance themselves and the H3 to come with me.
We decided to collaborate in relays. I enjoyed carrying a high pace. We were picking up rivals. Each step across the finish line showed us the difference with the group in front, we were less than 30 seconds away. We were overtaken by the H5 group that started 1 minute before us and that caused us to not be able to complete the 8 laps of the route. When they finish, the race ends for everyone.
When I crossed the finish line, I competed in the sprint with another h3 that we had reached and finished in 11th place. Without a doubt happy with the sensations, disappointed with my start, if I had held on to the lead, I would surely have improved some positions. Lesson learned, I hope to be able to apply it in future races.
Thank you Miguel Bergua Gros for your invaluable help, thank you Oscense Cycling Club for your support and thank you to all the sponsors who make my presence in these international events possible. In 15 days I will compete again in Italy, I will go for it. THANK YOU
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