This course has become a real classic, many Pros raced here successfully, before they actually became professionals. Its got a climb in it that always makes the selection, last year I overcooked it the first time up this climb, got an asthma attack and abandoned the race before I even finished the first lap. This year I wanted to race sustainably and finish the race at the very least.
Masters 2+3, U17 and Women Elite had been put into one race! This made for an approx. 70 strong Peloton, and causing a total mess. Masters were classified together, which means 40-59 year olds competing for glory.
First lap was really messy, as everyone fought for positioning for the first of the five ascend up the climb. This year I didnt repeat my mistake from last year and was at the front when we got into the climb and from there kept my effort at about 130% of FTP for about 5 mins, instead of an all out for keeping up with the front. Consequentially, I did get dropped, but only by about 10 riders who split off as a front group, which I continued chasing with a youth rider and later two more masters, but we didnt close the gap. Instead, we rode about 3 laps together until we got cought by the peloton in the last lap. The finale up the climb was finally all out, sprinting most of it at Max. HR, but finishing in 4th of the pack. Completed my goal to finish the race this year, ended with 5th place in Masters 3, but 14th place altogether (joint masters 2+3
classification).
