Bonelli park is one of my favorite national series courses. Lots of steep climbs and descents, along with man made A-Lines that keep it interesting. Feels as close to a European race course as we get in the US. After a solid preride on Friday I knew I had good legs and was feeling fast on the course. I was excited to go out and race hard after some problems in the first round in Texas. My start position wasn't great, lining up on one of the last rows in the field of over 110 pros. Although it can be intimidating to be looking forward at a sea of riders before I even start it also can be inspiring, a challenge to see how far I can work my way through the pack.
The start was pretty crazy, as to be expected, but I avoided most of the problems and I was able to maintain my position to the first climb where I started to make moves. Although there were a couple wide sections of the trail, there was a significant amount of singletrack. This made passing a little challenging, definitely had to plan to take advantage of every wide spot possible. The 85 degree heat along with the endless climbing really made for a tough race but I seemed to be feeling better every lap, continually passing riders.
This was the first race I have competed on my new FRM Factory Racing Anakin 29er. By far the best hardtail I have ridden. Super light and snappy but also has incredible vertical compliance to create a smooth ride. The Anakin begs to be ridden fast which is a great feeling when you are hurting in a race. Everyone needs to try one of these bikes, FRM has set a new standard for hardtail mountain bikes, an absolutely exceptional ride.
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In the end I moved up about 40 spots to 52nd position. Not a result that I wanted, but part of the process of working my way up towards the front of the field. Going into Fontana next weekend Ill be closer to where I want to be in the start, so mission accomplished. Before we headed back to Flag, I still had the short track to go. Short tracks are crazy fun and I was excited to race hard and work my way up again in the field. Unfortunately one negative of such a short and intense race is that if you have a problem there isn't much of chance to get back in the race. On the first lap I was taken down by a guy trying to make a sketchy pass putting me in second to last position in the field of over 70 riders. I worked my way up for as long as I could but there just wasn't enough time to work as far up the field as I wanted to. I left the short track frustrated with a lot of fire that I really wanted to take out next weekend at Fontana.
I've never been a huge fan of Fontana's cross country courses but I was inspired from last weekend to put down a good result. Again on Friday I got out to preride the course. Definitely different than what I was expecting. Only one big climb every lap, much different than last weekend with lots of ups and down. The style of Bonelli was more of what I was expecting but the benefit of having one big climb is that you also get a big descent. Almost the entire back side of the course was a rad, flowing descent on the side of the mountain. There were also some techy rock sections to keep it interesting.
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On Saturday my start position wasn't great again, but it was a bit better than last weekend. To my surprise the field was even bigger than Bonelli with more than 120 guys. The start was hectic but there was a lot more room to pass in the first few minutes this weekend. I attacked hard off the start, knowing that I had to get up through the field fast. After the first lap I had moved up into 32nd position and was feeling solid. Unfortunately I think I had gone for it a little to hard and going into the third lap I could feel that my legs were really started to fade. I kept the calories coming in and tried to keep it going as well as I could.
Over the next few laps I ended up fading back some. Every once in a while the legs would come around but as I crossed the line I wasn't happy with my performance. I had pushed it way too hard at the start but I was at least able to finish the entirety of the race where nearly half the field got pulled.
Like Bonelli, the Fontana Short Track was the next day. During my warm up I took a few laps and was really happy with the course. Had a couple tight corners, a short climb, and a really fun descent, perfect course in my opinion. Started towards the back of the field again, but off the start I pushed hard and started working up fast through the field. Nearing the end of the race I reached a group with a few fast U23 guys in it. I kept the pace high in the group and on the last lap I attacked hard up the climb. I got a gap on the other U23s and then had a close sprint finish with one of the other guys in the group. I rolled across the line satisfied. Felt good to have worked my way up to where I want to be, finishing in the 20s.
Short track is where you can really test a bike capabilities. The racing is so intense and you are constantly stressing your bike, whether it be sprinting up climbs or railing the tight corners. Again my FRM Factory Racing Anakin 29er impressed me. Never thought a hardtail could be this fun.
Overall a couple successful weekends of racing in California. I really am determined to keep moving forward in the cross country races and will work hard in preparation for my next race, the Sea Otter Classic. Thanks for everyone's support, feels great to always have the best equipment, support crew, and cheers out on the course!
