National Cyclocross Championships - Anna's perspective

I left my university halls at 6.45 on Saturday morning (exchanging confused glances with homeward-bound ravers, presumably concerning lifestyle choice!) looking forward to spending the weekend with my family rather than racing; I had only been on my bike once in the preceding fortnight and wasn’t expecting to go very well. Indeed, I had a wonderful day cheering on Dad and Imogen and did remarkably well in forgetting about the inevitable!
Having pre-rode the course early on Sunday morning I began to prepare for the race; kit, food, number etc. Unusually I wasn’t feeling nervous, probably because I had no real expectations or goals for the race.
And so 11.30 came and the gun went. I had decided to have a relatively conservative start in order to test my legs, lungs and the competition. I settled quite quickly and soon felt strong enough to push the bigger gears and attack the short, sharp hills. I passed about five riders on my first lap and, as always seems the case, found myself in no-mans land. It wasn’t too long however before I was joined by Hannah Bowers, in much the same way as at the last round of the National Trophy at Rutland earlier in the year. Experience had taught me that I was stronger technically but lacked the advantage in power. Hannah and I tussled for at least two laps but I knew I needed to get the gap before the finish as, though my sprint is strong, I’m not sure I could have held the wheel on the long drag up to the line. I managed to eek out a small lead on the last lap and pushed hard through the technical copse section in the middle of the course and over the hurdles to create as big a gap as was physically possible. As I accelerated onto the tarmac for the last time I had a safe advantage and crossed the line to finish 11th overall.
It has been a really enjoyable first season of cyclocross for me and the National Champs was a fitting end. There is nothing quite like a fast and furious 40 minutes of racing on my sublime little Salsa green machine followed by that pleasantly exhausted feeling, a roast dinner and Larkrise to Candleford!
What am I going to fill my weekends with now? Oh, that’s right…mountain bikes! Can’t wait.