Blogs
Mon, 19 Jul 2010
Annie Simpson blogs on Dwaars Westhoek
By Annie Simpson - Horizon Fitness Racing Team
The past week we have been preparing for our first Pro Race as Horizon Fitness RT; Dwaars doors de Westhoek. This was a UCI 1.2 race, and with a field of around 120, we had 6 riders: me, Alex G, Britt, and Helen from Horizon, and 2 Guest riders who were Claire Thomas and Lotte van Hoek. ‘
We got to the race nice and early, and morale was high in the team. We knew the race had some brutal Belgian style hills in the first 40km, and we knew if we could get over those with the front group then it was flat to the finish. This was my first pro race ever, and at near 130km it was definitely longer than any race I had done before, so I was a bit apprehensive the day leading up to it. (You can tell this because I go slightly quieter; emphasis on 'slightly'.)
The race set off and all worries were forgotten. It was fairly gentle until we hit the hills and that’s when it all kicked off! Going into the hills I wasn’t in a great position and I was constantly going round riders chasing to stay with the pacey bunch.
I could see Alex and Helen up ahead, but it was a struggle to get to them. As riders around me dropped off, I managed to get back on the bunch though before the last hills where, although the pace was still high, I could climb more comfortably being surrounded by the right wheels. Once over the hills it was all about getting to the finish, and the finishing circuit, which we did 7 times. It was around 9km long, but had a brutal section of cobbles in.
Every time I rode over them my knee would be in so much pain, so I’d usually exit the cobbled section at the back of the remaining peleton and have to fight my way back to the middle of the bunch. After 7 laps of this I was definitely starting to feel the effects of this constant chasing. Coming into the sprint I knew with it being on cobbles that I wouldn’t really be able to go as fast as I know I can, and finished near the back of the bunch. I know I could have been higher if my knee had been a bit stronger.
Alex was near the front at the end and finished 32nd, Claire close behind in 35th. Lotte was 48th, and Helen 49th, with me in 67th. Looking back at the race, it’s given me even more confidence in the progression I’ve made this year, I could barely finish a kermesse, and now I’m finishing in the main peleton in a pro race, all in my 1st proper year on the road.
So now as I type we are packing our bags for the long drive to France tomorrow for the Tour of Limousin. Had an inspirational talk with the lovely Sandie (my mum) this eve, and now I’m really up for it!
Will let you know how it goes.
Annie
For more information about the Horizon Fitness Racing Team, visit www.onthedrops.com.