One last cycling trip deep into Quebec this year. I only say that, because living in Gatineau (Western Quebec), everything east of Montreal seems like a big trip.. This time off to provincial championships in Sherbrooke, a big race on any calendar, this year would be a bit bigger on mine. It's not often I've had the opportunity to go to an event as "defending champion", so a bit of nervousness beforehand was expectable.
The weather was perfect for 'cross, but then any weather is.. Lots of rain had fallen the day before, so despite a beautiful sunny day, with temps around 10deg. it would turn into a bit of a mudfest. It was quite windy, but the course was well sheltered, so it wouldn't be much of a factor.
The start line was on pavement, and after some discussion they would eventually sort us out, separating the Elites from Masters, and starting the groups 10 seconds apart. I got into a good spot on the start grid, and made a jump to gain the holeshot lead than put four of us immediately off the front, and other than my slip up on the first corner, we immediately gained onto the back end of the elites. After a lap or two, Rob Orange was leading about 10-12 seconds up on myself, with three more 10-15 seconds back. By lap three, I was able to reel Rob back in and take the lead of the masters race. We rode 1-2 until finish, continually putting time into those behind us.
It was a great course, fast, technical with lots of turns, a couple of dismounts, a mud pit (from the rain), an excellent climb (happy me) and a wicked berm ride that looked and felt like riding the banks of a velodrome!! (Surprisingly a lot of people took it low, I'm not too sure why, 'cause riding it high was so fast, and smooth, it was just fun to hang it out). There was also a nice grassy flat switchback section that weaved back and forth, it was a bit greasy and would force a bit more caution. It was paved through the start/finish, into a nice six-foot drop-in back on course.
The final two laps went by pretty quick, Kelly, Leiden, Kona and lots of other friends were cheering along quite well for motivation, plus the legs were feeling great, unfortunately my back starting ache, so it was mental at that point to block it out and just keep pressure on the pedals. On the final lap I started to distance Rob, and would finish nearly 30 second up for the win, he would go on to take the win in the master B category (40+). Two championship jerseys for the Gatineau region! It was nice to race with him, good motivation for each other, and we were able to work very strongly together, to win our categories by over a minute and a half each! On top of that Keirnan Orange (Robs son) won the Junior race, and Sophie Matte won the women's race, to bring the total up to four wins for the Gatineau Region, awesome medal haul!
Next couple of weeks, we'll be home for some more Eastern Ontario racing.
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