Brasov XCM – first edition

22 Jun

Just a few minutes ago I’ve finished my school projects (even if today I still have to present them) but I thought to write a few lines about last week end race.

It was hot and I was tired (I still am a bit) but I got in the van with my team mates for the Brasov XCM, 2nd race from the 2012 Mountainbike Triad (3 XCM races). After a few problems with the police, we arrived in Brasov. I must repeat again: da*n it was hot. After a short meal we got on the bikes and went to check out the first climb and the last descent.

Everything was fine, but the descent put me down once after sliding a bit and hitting my knee and elbow. The bruises were pretty painful and I was KO for a few minutes. Luckily there weren’t other problems. Back to the hotel, last bike check, fitted the racing number and I was ready to go.

The next day, even at 9AM it was again very hot so hydration was really important. After the start I couldn’t find a pretty fast pace to keep next to the first group. After 9km of climbing just before reaching Poiana Brasov, my team mate Tudor caught me and we went together. It was better for me because my speed increased. After the split of the courses we got on a field full of dirt bumps and I’ve lost contact the guys in front. I started to fell again that my legs can’t do the job that day.

Reaching the 2nd hydration point I’ve stopped a few seconds for filling the water bottle and this was the best thing I’ve ever did as I was riding without any liquids for a few kilometers.

Finally got on the last important descend, the one that put me down the day before and I was motivated than ever. I knew all the pots and I knew where should I push the limit.

Just before the finish I’ve caught another rider but he was riding at the master category.

In the end I’ve finished 6th. I am not happy with the result but after presenting my last school projects and a few days of rest I know that I can come back in a better shape for the following races.

The race I can say that it was well organized, there were a few small issues at the start and on the last section of the course when I saw a lot of people walking on the course and I had also a few small problems with the signs at a few road junctions but I didn’t lost the path. Hope to come back again because the course was super fun !

Thank you once again to all 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.