Winterthur Race Report

Well the Winterthur race was an experience. Not quite how I would have liked it to go, but I ended up getting 43rd out of a big group and finishing as the 2nd best American, not far behind the 1st. All of the Americans had to start at the very back of the race and at the start I was able to build myself up to 40th out of the group of 60 or so. Eventually, on this huge steep climb, I was able to move up to 20th. From that first steep climb though, unfortunately, I was feeling my back. As I went on, it built up. Eventually on the 5th and 6th laps I cramped hard. On the 6th lap the racer who ended up being the 1st best ranked American at this race passed me. I lost a good bit of spots on the last lap mainly because there were so many people and the gaps weren't big at all between even 10 people. The type of race, though, was totally different than our races in the US. The starts are intense and every Euro just goes all out even if they're fighting for 40th place. There were lots of super steep long climbs, like Jester, and the downhills were muddy, rooty, and steep. As I said, it was super intense and the whole first 2 laps I was breathing super hard. My breathing never subsided on those first 2 laps. You were just going so hard at all times. I figured out what to do with the next race though. It was really a shame to cramp at the race and for my back to hurt, but I figured out what I did wrong, and need to do at the next race, to do well. But we'll see. :) And also, by the way, I got to see Absalon race in the pro class, so that was pretty sweet.