My first World Cup race – Nove Mesto

15 May

Hey everyone,

I think that this race report will be the longest and most complex ever. Why? It’s pretty simple. This was the best race I’ve ever had even if it wasn’t the best result.

I was dreaming to race a World Cup for seven years or so. I was close a few times but I never made it. But this time with the help of my team mate Eli and the Romanian Cycling Federation, we were in ! I couldn’t believe that one of my dreams was coming true. Riding with the best racers in the world is a big honor and I tell you that’s a feeling that is irreplaceable.

All the week I was still sick but I was afraid to take any medicine because of the probability of doping control. Maybe you remember Andreea Raducan that lost the gold medal in 2000 Olympic Games because of a pill. It wasn’t my case (to get first in Nove Mesto) but I didn’t wan’t to get a two years penalty for nothing.

Anyway with my girlfriend, my team mates Tudor, Eli and their girlfriends left Cluj for Nove Mesto Friday at 6A.M. We were thinking that it will be a long ride and so it was. After more than 12 hours on the roads we arrived there. First stop was at the accreditation center, then at the start area and only after that we went to find our hotel that was 12km away. I couldn’t believe my eyes that I am really there.

I couldn’t wait Saturday to get on the bike and check the course. It started to rain and it was so freaking cold but it didn’t matter. I was in for my first World Cup Race ! Got on the bike there I was at the official training session. The rocky sections were tricky and in the first lap I wasn’t really confident. After more unlucky attempts on “Rock’n’Roll” section I was irritated and tried harder. I’ve finally made it and then I thought that it was piece of cake. I’ve passed the “Parallel Flow” and the “Vertical Drop” but I didn’t tried the “BMX” last jump as the roots were very slippery and I thought that is better to be able to start on Sunday rather than fall of the bike and risk an injury.

I had a pretty bad sleep because I was still very nervous and excited. After breakfast I’ve started to prepare for the start. Got there two hours before and went to the Cannondale booth where Larry and Daniel were expecting me (even if I didn’t knew it). After having some photos with Mani and Marco, Larry took my bike and put in next to the other CFR team bikes. They already knew about my project so for me was a touching moment. I didn’t expect that. A lot of people want it to take a photo to my pink Cannondale Flash before and after the race and I was very happy about it and also very proud. More and more will find out about this so from this point of view a World Cup race is promoting very good such a campaign.

Got warmed up pretty hard and because outside was freaking cold (around 8-10C) this was almost useless as I didn’t had a trainer with me. I also almost forgot to get the chip because of the excitement.

After a few more minutes the race was on. Just right after the start on the right section of the group, someone crashed and I was forced to brake. I’ve stopped, get off the bike and ran on the left section to avoid the crashed group of riders but I’ve lost there somewhere around 20 to 30 seconds. Was impossible to catch the other big group so I tried to put every ounce of energy to push as harder as I can and to make a good race. Other riders that where lucky got in front of me but they were slower on the descends. I had every single downhill pretty clean and didn’t had any problems after the start lap but I wasn’t on my best day.

Anyway the Czech fans are really wild. On the climbs I was tickle them up because I knew that this will motivate me to push harder. I wasn’t wrong. The trumpets, drums, the anti-aircraft alarm and every single spectator that was cheering me up were amazing. I can’t tell you what I was feeling right then. 8000 people in the tribunes at the start and another few thousands on the course… it was awesome.

I’ve finished overall on the 137 position, Eli on 135 and Tudor on 131. I’ve learned a lot from this race and I hope to experience World Cup races in the future. From my point of view I could give up all the other races for a fully World Cup season anytime and the reason is pretty simple: these are the hardest and most beautiful races !