After my first week of racing in France this is how all things went. The first race was Tuesday, in Vendee, south Brittany. The roads were flat and there were 3 big laps and 5 little ones all totalling 140km. The race started fast and hard. The bunch was very tight, with 190 riders it was hard to find room to ride. All was fine and I felt okay, so I just sat there to see how French racing was. The finish came about and I managed to find a decent wheel and was sitting 10th man in a flat out bunch holding position well. There was a roundabout 1.5ish km from the finish. The first 5 men went left and the next 5, including me, right. Well to cut the story short they all crashed and I finished disappointed and in 42nd. But c’est la vie!
The next race was also in Vendee and a little further down than the last. In this one there were hills and crosswinds. Sitting near the front was essential. But again with 190 riders doing what you think is easier thought than done. So all was okay. In the final k’s of the race I was positioned well. But with 5km to go there was a crash and I got back in the bunch at the front then with 1.5km to go (again) another crash! This time I got really stuck and watched everyone ride past me and I finished 90 something.
The real story of the day was the drive back home to Rennes. Now, the DS filled the car up before we left and drove 240km to Vendee. He then drove behind the race for 140km. We left for the drive home of 300km because the race today was a place to place. He swore blind that we could get back to Rennes on the same fuel. The team car is an oldish Citroen and had, on its roof, 8 wheels, 4 bikes and 5 people (not on the roof, inside). By my maths that makes it 680km. Too far for our little old Citroen. But contrary to popular belief the DS decided this is perfectly within its capabilities of fuel efficiency. We ran out of fuel 100km outside of Rennes. The next 2 hours were awful. I was tired and annoyed at the bad race and getting so frustrated with myself, and everyone else. We finally got home at 10pm 5hours after the race had finished and had not eaten or drunk since then either. I did not go to bed a happy camper.
So Friday went past quickly and Saturday came. There was the team presentation at the sponsor’s offices. Sunday came soon and it was time to race again. Today was the La Chapelle Des Fougeretz. It was 90km and on a 5k circuit. Started hard as usual but I made the break with 6 others and we rode to a gap of 50 seconds on the bunch with 50km to go. The primes started every lap after this and I was feeling so good so I decided to would try for them, I won them all. Then with 4 laps and 20km to go the bunch was only 25 seconds behind. I spoke to my team-mate who said attack. So I dropped back 10metres did my shoes up and went flat out past and got the gap. So I now had 3 laps to do in the wind on my own. I rode hard and well and managed to gain a 1min gap on the break and 1.25 mins on the bunch. I won. I had podium duties to attend to and was all smiles until the interview, in French. I think I said “I am sorry I don’t speak much French. Thanks to everyone here, it’s been a good weekend for England. Yesterday we won the rugby and today I won”. For those who dont watch Rugby, we beat the French. People smiled and laughed so I think I’m okay for now! If this is the last one of these you read it’s because I said “I hate you all your French!”
So until next time, (hopefully)
Love,
Matt
