Vlad Sabau

It’s been a while since I’ve raced in Vatra Dornei, when actually I was on the both sides of the tape: as an organizer and a racer at Dorna XCO, a great event back in 2016 that I’ve put up with Petru Grigoras two years in a row.

Times have changed and a new generation of people came stronger to put Dorna again on the national cycling map. Dorna CX was also the host of the first ever Balkan Cyclocross Championship. That’s a great thing for both Romanian and Balkan cycling community.

But let’s get to my journey. My whole family came to Vatra Dornei so a break car is always a bit of a puzzle and a choice about what to take and what to leave at home. I took Felix’s bike too just in case + my bike, spare wheels, etc.

Because of the old infrastructure a 230km journey from Cluj takes about 3 1/2 to 4h and just about 30 before the destination it started to snow pretty heavily. ASAP I went straight on the bike and tried to clear a few laps on the course just to see how it goes. The fresh snow was a combo between mud and sand. And the long steady climb wasn’t quite helping. But the good thing is that we didn’t got dirty.

I’ve found a decent tire pressure and gain some confidence. I knew that the conditions will change as the forecast was predicting really low temperatures. But I knew what I have, and as mentioned before, I was confident. Than we went straight back to the cabin.

The race day was a bit different. With a -15C temperature during the night and a -10C during the day (that felt a bit warmer because of the sun) it was all frosty. The previous categories took their tools so the course had sections that were pretty sketchy. I didn’t had a roller for the warm up but it was a good decision because I had a couple of laps just before the start and it helped.

A fast start just in the front of the old Casino, which was nicely restored, straight into a narrow icy path with some elbows from right and left. I was 2nd and had a constant lap time during the whole race, except the last couple of laps when Paul, the new National Champion got behind me. Some shoulders here and there and I could stand in front of him until the last lap when I’ve made a few mistakes, he got in front pushing hard. Did more mistakes, mostly because of the fatigue and I knew at that moment that this was my limit.

Finished 3rd, again. The same place overall in the Romanian Cyclocross Cup. I would say that is a decent result, considering the circumstances. And considering that cyclocross involves mud and bad weather, two things that I don’t quite like or enjoy. Another tiny joy was that Felix was able to get used with the podium even though we both target the top spot.

But so far was a great way to spice up the winter training and get out the base miles routing. But now that everything is over I have to face these things too in order to prepare for the MTB season.

In the end, I can say that I’ve “enjoyed” the CX season and we’ll see what opportunities the future will bring.

I am grateful to my family, sponsors and friends for their continuous support, but also to Cristi Stan that adjusted the specific training for this discipline and pointed me some important things. Thumbs up!

Thank you everyone.

See y’all soon at the races.

Cheers, Vlad

I am a bit behind with the race report but will try to keep you updated. I’ll start with the Dorna XCO. The second edition of the coolest XCO race in Bucovina county, more specific in Vatra Dornei. Last year I’ve helped the organizers create a track but now having a starting point they’ve modified it in a really nice way. I hope to come back there for training as the area is amazing.

The race gathered more riders so I think it was a great success.

As for me the start was good and found a good pace but I couldn’t pull more than 6th place.

The guys from ReCreativ made a really nice video where I had the chance to present the course

Many thanks to my dad for the support on site, many thanks to Simona, my dear wife for the all time support and to my sponsors for offering me whatever I might need in order to be ready to race.

Next will come the report from Lenzerherheide World Cup and the Romanian National XCO Championships from Hunedoara.

Cheers,

Vlad

Hey there,

I am a little bit behind with the race reports. Ok, with everything right now but I try to catch up.

Let’s start with Dorna XC, a race in the beautiful Bucovina county, in Vatra Dornei. The place is well known for Dorna Extreme DH race and now I’ve helped a good friend of mine and ex-teacher to start the XC events in the area.

I’ve helped creating a challenging course, but due to bad forecast it ended up to be a little bit shorter and faster, transforming the race into a Short Track rather than an XC, but it was still fun.

A lot of riders came to race this first edition and for me this put a smile on my face. Also some of the best riders were registered for the Elite category so the joy was even greater.

Regarding the race was pretty weird as all of us were a bit thinking somewhere else. Anyway I’ve managed to get into the race mode and made my race. After just under an hour I’ve finished 7th. Not happy at all with the result but seeing some progress and that’s good.

We got back home and on Sunday with Marius had a long road ride visiting my grandmother. Not a bad way to end the week.

I hope that Dorna XC tradition will continue, improving the course, the organization of the event and promoting these lovely places that Romania has to offer.

As always many thanks like to my family and especially my wife and dad for the support, to my sponsors who made this possible, but also to everyone who cheered me up. Congratulations to my dad who raced also and finished the race. It’s not easy to race bikes at his age and I am proud of him.

Will get back soon to you. Cheers,

Vlad