'Make or Break'
David Smith | Friday 18th January, 2008
I couldn’t start this first entry of 2008 without mentioning the tragic death of Jason MacIntyre earlier this week. It’s difficult to imagine how the year could have got off to a worse start, to say it’s a great loss is a gross understatement. It was shocking news and my first reaction as I’m sure was many people’s was one of utter disbelief. I can’t really add anything new to what’s been said on the site already other than I can still remember clearly the first time I came across Jason, brief encounter though it was when I was sixteen years old in my first road race on the Black Isle. I had heard Alexander Ross talk of Jason as they had been in the Scotland squad together and he would always say what a strong rider he was. Just how strong became apparent more or less as soon as we got out the neutralised zone and Jason put in a huge attack on a false flat descent which only about three people were able to follow. That was the last I saw of him that day until the prize presentation after the race where on checking the result I saw he’d won by an enormous margin.
A few years later in 2004 I was lucky enough to ride the Tour of Britain for the Scotland squad of which Jason was a part. I can still remember rooming with Gary Hand and almost every night Gary would say, “jeez man have you seen how ripped Jason is, he’s more ripped than the pros!” How lean he was was a testament to his commitment and focus as a cyclist. Throughout the week at the team meetings and out on the road he would always have some words of encouragement and advice for the younger and less experienced members of the team which bolstered our confidence and self belief and helped us get through the race.
Our paths didn’t cross so much again after this but it was fantastic to hear of the successes he’d achieved over the past couple of seasons and there’s no doubt he deserved to be a member of the British team.
All I can say is if in my career I can make the Scottish cycling community, my friends and family half as proud as Jason did then I could hang up my wheels more than satisfied.
Under the circumstances what I’ve been up to seems very trivial and to be honest not much out of the ordinary has been happening. The highlight was a trip to hike up Ben Nevis just before Christmas with a couple of friends and you can see from the photos we were blessed with ideal conditions, it was a fantastic day out. I’ve been training as much as I can weather permitting and I head back to France on the 25th of January so I’ll have some more interesting news in my next entry. This year is really make or break time for me but I’ve a good feeling about it, the experience and reserve I’ve gained over the last two years will definitely stand me in good stead. I’m very grateful to be supported by the Braveheart fund for another year!
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À bientôt.
