La Vie en France (sorry for the delay)
David Smith | Monday 5th April, 2004
David Smith |   |
Well, I've finally got round to adding another entry, things have been all go since I arrived here 2 weeks ago and after 4 or 5hrs on the bike or a race I hadn't made the 20 minute bus journey into town to go to the internet cafe!
As many of you know, Gary and I are riding for the same team, EC Clermont Communaute. So far everything has gone as well as could be expected for me. The flat is warm and has everything we need including most importantly of all, a washing machine! The surrounding countryside is ideal for training, in the valley its pan flat and the mountains to the west provide some incredible mountainous roads!
I had my first race on 27th March, GP du Peschadoires, an U23 with 90 riders taking the start. I felt really good despite having until that point done very little high intensity work and so I attacked throughout! Unfortunately I missed the winning break but me and another rider got across with 2 laps to go! Just I as was feeling really pleased with myself, the grin was wiped from my face as my chain jammed on the climb, I had to stop and never got back to the break eventually finishing 17th. Not bad but I was left wondering what might have been!....
Yesterday I had my first E3/Nat race, an entirely different ball game altogether this time with 160 competitors! I did okay finishing 28th but I feel it will be possible for me to win one this year. Gary had a great day finishing 12th which was a much needed moral boost after someone destroyed his rear wheel by placing their skewer in the spokes at speed the previous week, ending his race after 2km!
This Saturday I've my first E2 race which I'm really looking forward to as its these I'll have to win to turn pro. After that there's the French cup race and then onto the stage races!
Anyway, its the weekly shopping trip to Lidl's this evening so unfortunately thats all I've got time for!
à bientot!
