Good start into the World Series season in Araxa with P15 in the overall

XCC World Series Araxa #1

Starting from the back row, my tactics for this course were clear from the start. I wanted to avoid the hectic pace on the short climb for as long as possible and then push as far forward as possible towards the end of the race. After an almost-crashing in front of me due to a fals start, I was actually last and initially rode a few metres behind the field. I gradually overtook a few riders and found myself in the top 16 at the end of the penultimate lap. It was time to give everything and I even managed to briefly move up to 7th place. But on the last climb I simply had no more power left and unfortunately had to let a few riders pass me. Nevertheless, 12th place in the end was a great starting position for the cross country race the next day.

XCO World Series Araxa #1

I had a good start from the second row at the cross country race on Sunday and was able to stay in 15th place for the first two laps. At the start of the 3rd of 9 laps, I rolled to the front of the chasing group on the flat section before the climb, into 4th place. I was still feeling very good, so I moved up another place to be able to ride at my own pace. I soon had a small gap and was alone in 3rd place, but then my back unusually gave in pretty quickly and I couldn't put the pressure on the pedals. The group behind me caught up again on the fourth lap. I tried to keep up and that worked quite well until lap 8. But my back got worse and worse, so at some point I had to give up and let two other riders go first. In the end, I'm not overjoyed with 18th place, but it's a solid start and I was able to secure 15th place in the overall standings. That means I'll start the upcoming short track from the second row. Apart from that, I'm really happy with the atmosphere in the new team and how everything worked at the World Cup opener. I'm looking forward to the next round on a new course at the same venue in Araxa in a few days.