Cluj MTB Marathon

Or what’s left of the old Maros MTB Marathon. I am sorry to see that traditional races are dying, to be honest I don’t know the real reasons and I don’t really care. I see only that from a race with almost 500 participants its going to almost less than half. This is not the real sports promotion that Romanian cycling needs.

The start moved from Gilau, to Savadisla and a few days before the race the organizers decided to cut the first major climb and move the start to Muntele Rece, near the monastery with the same name. Why? don’t ask me. Getting there was an adventure itself: 60 km from Cluj and the last 10 where offroad. Arriving there we tried to park the car on the side of the road as there was no parking lot in the top of the mountain. Leaving aside all the problems and shortcomings we’ve start a marathon (which wasn’t a real marathon considering the distance 48km). The startloop was a good idea but not recommended in marathon. The course was cool even with all the all puddles and potholes that could knock you down. Except two or three sections the course wasn’t really technical but I didn’t even expect one as this race should be for everyone. A lot of mud instead that made my chain “scream” almost 3 hours. The mud wasn’t creating a lot of problems for my XX1 transmission which worked really well considering the conditions but also for my view. Luckily the Adidas Evil Eye was protecting me as always.

I’ve felt pretty good and pushed myself even if the result is not telling: 4th at Elite and 6th overall. I’ve also managed to finish 3rd in the general ranking of the championship but the overall  was not awarded because of small organizational misunderstandings. Should I expect my prize arrive in my mail? Just asking…

Let’s hope that next season everything will turn out better…

Many thanks to my family for the support, to my sponsors for making the dream come true and helping me racing. You can check them as always in the right column. Also many thanks to Marius who gave me a ride with his car and to everyone who cheered me up before, during and after the race.

See you at the next events or on the trails. I won’t stop riding. And I still ride for fun after so many years.

Cheers,

Vlad

photo credit: Sorin Duma, Rares Puscas