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Junior National Track Championships


After the Road Nationals it was straight to a training camp in Newport, Wales, in preparation for the National Track champs and also the possibility of European Track Championships. I spent the week doing lots of sprints and intervals.

I stayed over after the camp in the house Dad had rented for 2 weeks. It was called Stable court and was in Dingestow, 20 minutes from Newport. It was very nice and had a tennis court and a lake and had great cycling roads all around. Unfortunately there was not much time to try them.



Track Nationals kicked off with Scratch race on Tuesday. I qualified 4th in my heat in the morning then went home for lunch. The final was much sooner than expected so as I got into the velodrome I just had time to put on my kit and go. I came 4th in the final after getting in a break with 3 other riders. Towards the last 5 laps I was on my knees and the chicken and rice I had eaten only 45 minutes earlier started to feel like a poor decision.

On Wednesday we had pursuit. I spent a long time warming up but come my ride I felt terrible. I felt uncomfortable on the bike and just plain slow and did a pretty duff time of 3.38.

Thursday was the points race. I qualified in the morning by taking a lap. In the afternoon my plan was the same, to take a lap and not go for the sprints. The plan didn't really work out as I didn't have the legs to go solo and no one was letting a group get away. I finished 11th.

All in all it wasn't a bad track nationals but no where near good. Hopefully a bit more specific training next year will prepare me better.

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