July has fortunately entailed more racing than June. I completed Ilkley, Barnsley (not in the town centre RR), a few local crits and yesterday was my second ever UCI race Kreiz Breizh.
Starting with Ilkley, it was inevitably going to be a very tough race as it usually goes off from the gun, although I wasn’t at the end of the race I would have liked I was pleased with my efforts and finished the race completely spent which is all you can ask for! I know that the harder the races I get in the legs the fitter I will become throughout the season (have to remember the season doesn’t finish until October).
Next up was Barnsley road race, this was a very hot day out over some grippy Yorkshire roads. I wasn’t too optimistic about staying at the front of this race as there was a pretty decent field, but I was pleased to stay in until 7km to go where I completely blew on the last climb. But considering I’m still coming back from injury I felt that this was a improvement from my last race.
This week was Kreiz Breizh UCI race over in Brittany. This entailed one 132km stage and a 137km stage the next day over some tough climbs. I was lucky to be double vaccinated so I could go, but I wasn’t too confident about it due to it being the longest race I’ve ever done, being a huge step up riding with World Tour level teams and was worried my back would cope through it.
However, I completed the whole race, finishing in the second group on the first day and finishing in the peloton the second day on the same time as the winner. I’m really happy to get round this and I’m feeling confident for my up coming races.
Thanks for reading,
Liv
