Clujul Pedaleaza – winning the last stage

So the second edition of our local championship arrived to the last stage. For me it was the first offroad nigh race. I’ve managed to check the course before it got dark so I kinda knew where I can push harder and where to be careful. It was a bit wet and slippery as it rained the night before.

My good friend Radu borrowed me his lights, because I am not used to ride during the night. Everything was ready for the race. I was still nervous because I kinda knew that this will be the last race on my pink Cannondale Flash. I will still ride it for a week or two but then I will prepare it for auction.

After the sunset the temperatures dropped to 8-10C. After a very well done warm up I was ready to race. I was very motivated as I knew that is the last race on my pink Cannondale Flash. I had a fast start and I took the lead of the race. I pushed harder every lap and I tried to increase the pace between my team mate Eli, who got a bronze medal at the Romanian CX Nationals a week before. Even if it was a bit wet, the Continental X-King tires were perfect. After that I tried and succeeded to keep the gap. So after 4 laps I was the first one to finish the race. My first victory in baggie pants !

I was very happy that I finally made it. Hopefully the victories in these races will come earlier !

This victory kept me on the second position for the overall ranking in the championship. The good thing is that our team had a full podium overall: Eli 1st, I was 2nd and Zoli 3rd. That’s awesome and I hope that next year we will be able to keep it that way.

Even though it was more like short track race I’ve enjoyed it and now I am planning to get my own lights system to have them for my winter training. I couldn’t make it so far without my sponsors and partners: Maros Bike, Cannondale Bicyles, Ashima, Continental, Sapim Spokes, Adidas Eyewear, Cratoni, Tune, Xpedo, Grip Grab, Sram, Restwise, Joe’s No Flats, Kool Stop, TruckerCo, Light-Bikes.ro and  VDO.

I would like also to thank to everyone who cheered me up during the race. It’ great to have people cheering you up, it really pushes you forward ! Simona was present but only to the award ceremony, but I am happy that she was there. It’s a great support for me.

More photos available HERE.

Finally but not at last, I would like to congratulate the Clujul Pedaleaza team and especially Levy for a great racing season. They’ve managed to organize really good races in Cluj and this means a lot for our community. From 3yo to over 60yo riding is a great thing. I hope that everything will evolve and will get better every year !

I will now rest a few weeks but after I will start the training for the next season. I still have big plans but also some major goals. I hope that the pink Cannondale Flash will bring a big load of money so they will really help the charity action. Regarding this I will keep you updated, stay tuned.

Also I will let you know how things will evolve as soon as I will find out about them. I am optimistic that the next season will be better than this one even though I had the best year ever. Racing at the World Cup and World Champs was something huge, and I am really happy that I had these opportunities.

Keep in touch. Cheers,

Vlad