British Cycling National Trophy CX – Rd 2 – Falkirk – Oct 18th 2025 – V50s – 4k

Hello. Uh Elsa here and I am in Falerk at the Nationals. Uh round two of the national trophy. Um taking place in Falerk. Uh a long way if you live in Portsmouth. Uh but uh um well well worth a trip. It really was well worth a trip. Uh I’m bidding 18th uh after finishing 26 in Derby. Um, so, uh, yeah, I’m on the third row, which is pretty cool. And, uh, there’s a there’s a load of people in front of me. Um, directly in front of me is is, um, Keith Sheridan from uh, who I I race uh, normally in the Wessics League. Um, actually I was speaking to Keith after after the race. he called before I can’t remember but um he was uh he did grab a world champ and he was absoluted from that. Uh so he wasn’t hoping for too much but he loved to challenge as Keith. So he was uh he he beat me at derby so he he got slightly better gridding. Um on the left I think that is Bill K on from Ree Racing. I don’t know what what leak reef it is. It’s like a nice Scott uh bike there. Not quite sure. Um yeah. And to the right of Kate is uh David Hagar from Wheelbase Wheelbase Cabek Castelli who um I didn’t realize is is I I think a bit famous in in CX circles. Um He because um well what’s brilliant about this is is David uh and I had a great battle all race and he had a GoPro camera on or a video camera on his bike as well. So um normally you never get to see me. I mean I I never get to see me but um this time there’s loads of video of me. If I could be bothered, and I’m pretty sure I can’t be, I could um stitch both our videos together to make a really um well cool almost professional video, but um yeah, I don’t think that’s going to happen. Uh but uh yeah, very very cool indeed. Um so yeah, really nice to watch your your video, David, and to race you. Um 14, who’s that? Ian Knight, VC Briganti. Further to my right is Richard Lewis, the old arch nemesis who uh I race week in and week out and only care about beating Richard. So really nice that Richard also made the trip up um from down south. Uh I can see number nine. Who’s that? Andrew Brindle. Uh yeah, they are the real hitters are right at the front. People like um Robert Robert Jeb um who I think is new to this category. Looks like we’re all ready to go. Uh oh the rest this venue is brilliant. I mean and Alan who did the commentating was fantastic. Here we go. I was praying for a good start. I got a pretty good start really for me because I’m normally terrible. Um and I’m kind of holding my place which is great. Uh I go past Keith. He’s going to bend to the left and um you know I was thinking right it’s going to bend to the left. It’s hard to see in the first bit where to go. There’s Richard Lewis 25 pedal on. Um and I wanted to make sure I was I was in the right place. Um because you know you don’t want to not turn left. There goes David Haggarth in front of me. He’s a big unit. Uh you know he’s not one of those slight uh riders. He’s he’s a big unit. Lots of power. Number 17 Phil Oliver CXR all in black. Um and well well I was over the moon with that start. I really was because I’m such a crap starter. normally. So, I’m on your wheel, David. Um hopefully hopefully you’re coming to to Clampfield. We can reminisce about this race. Uh and uh Phil Bill Phil as well. We all all kind of closely matched. Um and then this lovely offber section. We a stupid mistake. I don’t know what I did there, but I Well, it was basically bad riding, wasn’t it? I um I had to get I slipped got unclipped. Had to hop up the the bank. So I lost a place there to 21 Mark Wood from Gritty Racing team. Probably good to be sponsored by Gritty Lovely Gritty Kit, I bet. Uh this turn really important turn to be able to make it up without putting a foot down. If you put a foot down, you’re going to lose quite a lot of time. So, thankfully I made it up that time. And this course say uh I was talking to um Sam Sam G Sam Jennini who who’s rides for Exact Verso Power new club that Simon Patterson uh looks after. Um, and he was saying, “Oh, you know, it’s uh, you know, there’s a few punchy bits, but you know, should be quite steady.” And I said, “No, no way. No way, Sam. This course is punishing. Is got to be the most physical. One of the most physical courses. I mean, Clanfield is physical, but I don’t know. This was a real bright struggle.” Ah, there was Richard Lewis. Looks like he was patting the top of his saddle because I what happened sometimes his uh his saddle started pointing up which is it is not what you want is it? So just when your equipment does not behave itself it is the most disconcerting thing. CX is hard enough without your equipment not doing what you want it to do. Um, so yeah, he told me he settled, went up. I dive I think I dive in. Yeah, I managed to make it. I gave him some space. So I was flying through there and we come to the hurdles and uh I fly through this. Go go go get get nice run through that and uh put back on. That was pretty good for me, but I uh I didn’t clip in very well. That is the thing with me. I’m not very good at clipping back in. Um, so Richard, I’m on Richard’s tail. Brilliant. Uh, oh, someone’s going past me. He’s going past Richard. Number five. Wow. Why is he there? Philip Simcock. Maybe we had a bad start. And that guy as well. I didn’t see his number. And another one. Uh, wow. 36. Jesus. He’s come a long way. 36 is doubler shot fourth fellow. Um yeah, didn’t panic because you know you can only go as fast as you can go and you don’t want to burn all your matches and at this point you can tell this is a hard course. It’s a hard course to race. You do a practice lap, that’s one thing. Do a couple, that’s one thing. You start racing, there’s only one way your heart rate’s going and that’s going up. Um and um yeah, I knew pretty early on that you know, you are pushing all the time. Okay, you get a little break here. Thank god. You know, a few a few little breaks, but you know, you straight on the power. Did that really badly there. Um but there’s plenty of time to catch up on a course like this. You can make a little bit of time with a with a with a good good corner, carry a little bit of extra speed, bunches up. There was lots of opportunity to to to move up really uh or put a bit more power in, you know, so I could understand Rich’s will. Um, which was what I wanted to be. And I think yes, you know, I’m normally he normally takes about three laps to catch up to Richard normally races where I’ve got a bad start and he’s blown by. Um so I was I was really pleased with with where I was and I thought I must have missed a lot of the melee behind me. Um which I where I’m often in. Uh and then the wall the first wall looks like I’ve gone past Richard and had a good I think I that first one look I’ve gone past the other guy too. I actually think I actually think I ran up there which was you know seriously taxing frankly. Um that it is I mean yeah it is really draining. Uh is that the first one? That’s the second one. That was wall two I think. Actually, I must have missed the first one. Sorry. I was just deep in in in chatter conversation cuz this is this is the lovely this is the only proper rest in the race. And um I am drifting down there. I think that’s Bill K in front of me and David Hag. Look at that castle thing. Um can’t it’s called again. Um calendar house. calendar house, I think. Um, probably got a lovely history. Uh, there was a wedding there yesterday, I heard. Um, which everyone’s been very quiet in. So, so, uh, Bill Bill’s in front of me, so I was thinking, right, let’s get on to Bill’s tail and I can get a nice nice drag. What a superb venue. Um, sorry, that’s not Phil. Phil Bill, that is Phil Oliver. But I kind of think I should have stayed on Phil’s wheel like but you know a bit excited and I thought I’m going faster. I might as well just keep going. Phil’s probably just jumped to my wheel. I’m sure he has. And um you know that’s the lap lap done. Uh lots of chewing from pirates uh and others which is really nice. Um and yeah that was that was a good first lap. Um, I’m ahead of Richard, which I I got past Richard up the hill. He must be right on my tail, though. Um, and this climb, I haven’t really talked about it, but it’s an absolute brute. You get speed, but this last bit, it is, it’s so painful. So painful up there. Um, yeah, that is that is one to try. I mean, you got to put some watts per kilo down to get through there. But I’m bridged quite nicely over to to David Hoff um who um who’s respendant in a kind of fluorescent yellow uh uh skin suit. It looks like um David’s I just had a look. I just subscribed to your to your your uh YouTube channel uh David and um you I I think your day two video is really nice because um you know you you you know walked around and just shared your thoughts about um the junior races in particular um as it was happening and before the race and uh your daughter was racing in the um the junior women which was uh really cool. Um and uh yeah that that that’s a a nice nice to hear your opinion David on the um the experiences experienced and uh yeah nice nice to hear your thoughts on it. Um I I normally I stay for the juniors but just because it’s so bloody far away. Oh look that was a mistake by you David. um you didn’t quite make it up there and that gave me an opportunity to get by. Um so so I did um so I was feeling really good at this time. Um and uh you know you get to this point, this point here, and you’re thinking, why is my heart rate so high? Why is it so high? But it just is. Um and then you know, it’s just constant punchy climbs. I mean, you’ve got to be able to punch so many times. Here’s the wall I’ve got to talk about before. Um, it’s weird. I don’t think it looks that long, you know. I don’t think it is. Um, Caner one is I think it’s is twice as long. Um, but it does hurt a lot. Um, David, I’m sure, is right on the wheel. for for a big man. He goes up these climbs so fast. Um really pushes it up those climbs. Um and on Davey’s video, which I watched yesterday, it was it it was an attack point for him. Um very impressive. Um I think the first two laps I went fairly fast and then um and then I was just like I just plotting up there. It was so tiring. Uh, as I said, so physical. Um, I I I I kind of think more physical than Clanfield. Probably can’t explain it. Um, but you just always seem to be pushing the power on this course. Um, you know, this is climb, you know. Yeah, the descents are super short apart from that long one. Um but every other part of the course you are pushing um and uh yeah just pushed up there. Hold on. Uh and you your heart rate is is going uh who is that? 13 an upside down 13. Philip Kraker Shipton Cycling. Um Shipton must be like one of the biggest cycling clubs in the country, wasn’t it? They have riders of all ages. lots of disciplines. I think I saw a post on Facebook earlier today saying that they they they do um they’re at the national track champs. This guy um Phillip, he you know, he’s got a lot of punch. He’s clearly very um very good uphill. He’s not he’s not a huge guy. Um he’s well, he’s just blown away from me, hasn’t he? Um so uh yeah, good racing with you, Phillip. Uh but you know, you just got to keep going because um even though you know a fair few people have gone by, you know, they can come they can come back to you. Uh if you don’t make any mistakes, then uh a consistent race is a great thing to to manage. Um, so yeah, just got to keep going uh and try and stay in it. Don’t go into the red and uh well try not to go into the red too much was you just keep paying for it. This course, what what a fun course. I I actually think it’s my favorite course. CX course I’ve ever raced, I think. Um, yeah. I mean, it was just it just said everything. It was really just a brilliant course. I’m I I kind of wonder if Look at that wheel to the right. I bet that is David Hoth. I don’t think it’s Phillip. I think it’s David Hagarth because he’s fast up here. We might see his wheel come past me. Um, yeah. You know, if it was muddy, what would it have been like? Um, it would have been interesting. I don’t think I would have stayed upright, but it would have been fun though. Um, there you go. There he is. Very strong. So, I think I was perhaps a little bit faster up the big climbs, but then on the flat, you know, he’s got some big levers. Uh, you know, he he can put some some WS down. And, uh, I thought, right, I got to stay in his wheel because I bet he’s going to bridge over to Phillip. Um, and, uh, so I do, you know, put a bit of effort in. Um, and no doubt Richard Lewis is not very far from me either. Um, I tried to look out the corner of my eye, but it’s really quite so there. Make a bit of effort. Um, David is is pushing it a bit, but I’m finding his wheel and uh I’m just following him. So, I think we’re on to the third lap. I think that’s the third lap we’re starting. Yeah, I think so. And he’s powering on here. And yeah, I’m thinking, oh, should I come out? Come out of the draw. Look, a little little look back, see who’s there? I could probably do that. I normally just look forward. Um, but um maybe I should back sometimes. I don’t know. Um yeah, I don’t know. Anyway, here we go. up this awful climb. I bet Philillip’s going to dance up here. Um, you just got to commit to it. Just it’s just tough. Really tough. And you get to this point, you think, oh, we’re done. But you’re still climbing and it’s just this last little bit just hurts you. Uh, but you know, that was a decent effort. I think I’ve just got past David. Um yeah, he’s probably just a very very close to me. Aid Lansley was petting for Richard Lewis and uh he was uh he was shouting all sorts of things at me. Uh making me laugh. Uh Richie’s coming with one of them. And he looks really tired. He looks really tired talking to me. Um like he’s saying Richard, I like this little corner. You can take it wide. Um, someone could dive in, but kind of at this point, you know, it’s not like there’s a mass of people. Um, I felt fairly safe to to to leave it and to go for a nicer line. Um, so yeah, really tricky. Just go make sure you don’t put foot down and lose a lot of time. Um, just want to just ride it nicely. Uh, I don’t think you can make I don’t think you can make a ton of time on that. It’s just best to be safe on that. This is where you can lose a lot of time if you don’t get up there. Uh, but it makes it up there. Just I do as well. No dab there. So, um, it’s good. You know, the way he came past you before got like an easy distance for me, but I’m still there. Still there. and and David is right on my will too. Then this really steep descent was not that steep here but trust me really is steep and then never really found a perfect line up there. Do you go right I think I think it was slightly better if you went through the middle um and then the wall and he’s just like dreading just how painful it is to get up there. Um, I kind of did. I think I did all right. I think I did all right. I didn’t really slip too much on it. Look at that. David Hagarth has somehow got past both of us. I mean, what the hell? I mean, wow. That is impressive. Look, I think that’s the only time I That’s the first lap where I didn’t I didn’t try and run up there. I was just I was just just so knackered. So, um yeah, this was I thought, jeez, have I gone too hard in this race? Cuz this is really tough. Um look at that. Dam’s got a good lead. He’s gone past Philillip. Um and uh yeah, easy easy motor. So, uh just just uh just a good battle. Good battle. Kind of think where are you stronger? You know, where should I spend the energy? Should I go now? Should I save it for later on in the race? How much further is there in the race anyway? Um, I did six laps, six laps of this course. Um, and um, well, I’ll tell you about about it bit later, but um, you know, the longer you race, the more your brain doesn’t seem to work so well. It’s just hard to make good decisions. Um, I’m sure there’s been some scientific studies about that. Um but yeah, they are they are off those two. Uh but I’m I’m still doing all right and um not making any mistakes so far. Um and uh yeah, I’m I’m not not displeased and I’m ahead of Richard. So that’s that’s the main thing. But um which is a very hard man to drop. He he does not give up. And um yeah, and because this season I’m ahead of him by a good by a good amount, he is desperate to um to start to um send the scoreboard his way. So, uh yeah, he’s not going to give up. Uh and we have a lot of fun fun battling. Oh god, that’s it. You know, it’s funny at that time. So, I’m I think I’m running here to get to a better remap point. At that time, I I was I was literally thinking to myself, “Oh, there’s a lot of grip on this corner, isn’t there? You can do anything you like.” Um, and then I then I crashed. I just leaned a little bit too much and I put the power on just a fraction too too late. And now I’m pretty knackered now. You know, it just takes it out of you because you not you panic, but you’re just like, “Oh my god, you got to get back on your bike. Go got to get up to speed. You can’t lose too much time.” And now then there’s this second wall. I’m kind of going diagonally. Um it just seems to be the way I was going. But I was got the top of there. I thought, “Oh my god, I’m really tired.” And what a stupid thing to do. I’ve just lost five more than that. 10 seconds. Oh, there’s Richard. He’s gone. And And I think I think Richard was trying to psychologically damage me with the way he went by. He just flew by. He didn’t just do a slow pass. He went by really fast and he really stuck the dagger in. Uh and uh and he’s off. And he’s off. And now I’m thinking, “Oh my god, I’m not going to catch him. He’s he’s uh he’s too fast.” But that’s exactly what I want me to think. Uh and why we have such great battles. Um so I just try and gather myself you know um you know this is CX you know things happen things go wrong you make mistakes your machinery lets you down you know these things happen. So I’m kind of thinking at this point what do I do? Am I going to try and put a big effort into catching? I think no. No. I mean, that crashing cost me, you know. Um, Philip Kraker and David Hagarth are long gone now. Um, Richard’s ahead of me, so I’ve I’ve kind of dropped back quite a bit, so I’m a bit disappointed, but um, you never know. You never know. Um, I’m there was a little bit of me that thought, “Oh, rubbish.” Um, you know, am I going to I’m going to keep fighting. That was only for a split second because I I never give up. I’ll just keep going. And this guy comes by. Who was that? I can’t even see his number. Uh, but he was flying. He He didn’t I wonder if he was on my wheel. He could have been could have dropped off my wheel then pulled out. I didn’t look back behind me. Maybe I should look behind me. But look, he’s flying up there. Um, and strangely that is David Hagar. So, how is David lost all those places? Uh, and I think he’s going into the pits. Something went wrong. Maybe he got a puncture. I don’t know. But on his video, he went into the pits and lost quite a chunk of time. Something’s gone wrong there. Richard’s just gone the other way. So, he’s got quite a good gap on me. Um, so yeah, there you go. That’s CX. Something’s happened to Dave. David and uh he’s gone into the pits for a pipe change. Um, thanks thanks CLA Jennazini for pitting for me. didn’t come in, but uh it was great that you were there and you cheered me on too. So, thanks very much for that. Um and and thanks to all the people who cheered me on. It was uh well appreciated. Um and uh Sam Sam Sh, you’re in the you you’re in the top 10. I don’t think I was ever in the top 10, but maybe I was quite close at the beginning. Uh oh. I didn’t fall over there. I just needed a couple of hops. But that’s a frustrating frustrating thing. I I think I was still in a little bit of panic mode here. Just thinking that Richard’s going further and further away from me. Um and then here I think I cocked up. There you go. I cocked up and I really tried to put the power in and um I think I caused because in Davidy’s video there was someone right on my tail and that caused him to stop and David got by him. He must be right next to me or something. Um but yeah, I I just I just rode that really badly and didn’t get the power in my back wheel popped up in the air and then I put the power in. It just span in the air and then you’re stuck, can’t you? Uh but I haven’t lost a place that’s good. Uh, and I’ve got the wall. Is this the first or the second one? First, I think. Um, no doubt David is going to sprint past me again. That’s me scrambling up there to the top. No, he’s not past me. There he is. He’s ran past me. Very impressive. It’s just it’s very draining. I mean, I’m a I’m a pretty good runner, decent runner, but doesn’t really prepare you for this, does it? I mean, I I met a guy at the Premier Inn where we were staying the day before, a really nice Welsh guy, and um he was in the V40s, I saw. and um he he he done some pre- riding the day before um when we we’d all arrived on our on the Friday and um I said what I said what’s the war like I said um well I’m a fell runner so it’s it’s fine it’s it’s no problem for me I’d like to have seen how he did uh I’m not sure who you are maybe I’ll see if I can somehow work out where you English. Um Dave is out the sad little putting out the beans. Um I’m I’m not. Ah that’s 16. That is Bill K. So um Bill K who was on the start line just in front of me. Um so so there he is. And there’s 17 Phil Oliver. So um we’re all back all back together. Um, Phil Kraker is gone though. We’ve lost him. And Richard Richard’s Richard’s in front, right? I’ve not overtaken him. So, there’s the four of us. So, I’m thinking, right, make sure you stick with these four guys because maybe together we’ll slowly get closer to Richard. Um, so, so I did, you know, cuz they’re moving. Um, and look, uh, even Bill K’s just gone past, um, David Hoff. So, how am I feeling at this point? I’m feeling a little bit little bit frazzled, but, you know, I’m not panicking. That top that corner nicely. Um, I’m thinking I can stay with these guys. Um, and let’s see where we get. Is this where I crashed before? I think it is. Silly place to crash. One mistake. One one mistake. And you can lose a lot. Um, you know, I I I still see myself as a bit of a I guess I I guess I’m not a novice. Uh, I guess I’m not a novice, but ah, look at that. That is running with a bike. I believe that it’s Ian Ian Taylor who, um, is the series leader or was a series leader. Um, but he punctured and had to run a long way. So, look, um, we’re all running up the hill and Richard is on the hill at the same time. So, um, he’s he’s well well, maybe he’s tired or, you know, he is quite a way away, but we’re all in the same shot. So, um, I might have got past someone there, but there’s there’s David. There’s Bill K. Uh, and I’m just just getting onto his wheel. Uh, and Richard’s gone into the pits. He’s gone into the pits. Something’s gone on. I think he had problems with his handlebars twisting forward. He he built the bike up um like almost like the night before cuz he he needed a second bike. Didn’t have one. Um and uh yeah. So I’m just on on on David’s wheel. So So David spat. He spat uh you might have seen it in in there. He didn’t know I was on his wheel. He mostly missed me, but a little bit got me. And he he was um he apologized uh wholeheartedly straight away uh when he did that and and after the race as well. So um no no offense uh at all. Uh but it wasn’t what I was expecting. Um so uh yeah, I I lost the wheel a little bit there. Um but yeah, I popped some put some effort in. Um and Dave’s gone straight past Bill and now I mean this this is this was what a topsyturvy race. I mean everything’s happening. So you know Rich’s just Richard was in the lead out of Oslo. He’s gone into the pits. He’s changed bikes. He’s now behind. Um, Bill had gone past all of us. Now David’s gone past him. I’m on Bill’s wheel and we’re about to hit that awful hill. See what what what happens. Um, let’s see. Little bit of traffic. And let’s see. Oh, Bill’s saved. Smashing it up there. Really is. Look at that. Great cadence, good grip, and I’ve got past David as well. So, I think I think I was faster up there. Uh I think David weighs weighs a chunk more than I do. Um and it’s obviously harder for bigger guys to climb steep hills, although he can certainly run up them. Uh and there’s Richard in the corner of my eye, so he’s on it. Um, yeah. And where’s Phil Oliver? Has he just Is he behind or is he is he ahead? By this point, I am really bloody napped now. Um, I think this is about 30 minutes. It’s about the time I’m trying to calculate how how many more laps are there. And you could hear Allan commentating and I could hear Robert Jeb and um Robert Jeb’s name and Alan Gunner’s name and I was thinking okay uh thank you for letting me buy there. Um where are they? Are they going to lap us? I I just didn’t have any idea. Um anyway, just have to keep going. But yeah, there’s part of you just calculating how much time need to get better at that. I’m really cocked up. But yeah, I’m just riding. Just riding and uh you know, trying not to make any more mistakes after that one I made before. And um Bill Bill’s going at good speed. And now we’re hitting a few more back markers. So got to try and make good decisions about how you get through the field. This time I think I go more middle. No, I’m right to the edge. Follow Bill. I think out the corners I think I saw um the Taylor right up here. Now I’m dying up here. Absolutely dying. Let’s see if we see um what’s his face, David. No, not this time. And actually, I I’ve managed to pass Bill. Don’t know how I did that. Um but hey, we’re all together. And uh well, there’s nice descent. I mean, you’re toast at this point. Uh, and this was a really steep, bumpy descent. Left side seemed to be the best way to go. And I was just not breaking at all at this point. I was just going just think the wheels are just going to keep rolling. Just go for it. It’ll be fine. And and it was, but um then off here. and uh try and keep the speed up, not lose too much and keep going. Um in in in the scouting, I didn’t even really notice this hill. Didn’t really notice it because, you know, I was taking it a bit easy and uh I sure was noticing noticing it by this time. It’s when I look at my heart rate trace, it just went up up and up and up. um as as the race went on. Um yeah, it was tough tough race. I’m I’m exhausted just thinking about it, but what a course. I said it before at the beginning, what a great course. What a great venue. What a friendly place. Um, yeah, I would have no hesitation coming back. 19. Seen 19. That’s Nigel Wood from Kendall Cycle Club. Um, have I lost lost someone? Have we caught someone? I don’t know. Where’s Where’s Bill? And where’s And where’s where’s David? Anyway, I’m right on Nigel Woods. Oh, there you go. And that’s that is uh Ian Taylor who must have had a bike problem and uh he’s just carving through the field with his his power. Where did Niger Wood finish? Hold on. Well, this race could have gone even better than I think it did go for me. But, you know, I am hanging on. I am really hanging on. It’s good though. It’s good to be in there. I think I’m just looking at Nigel Wood’s shoes just trying to follow him. There he is. There’s an Ian Taylor and I’m I’m so tired. But um Nigel Wood finished in 12th place. 12th place. And he’s just ahead of me. Wow, that is awesome. And I think this is uh this is an intro to my my big mistake of the race. Um because because Ian Taylor’s gone by I’m think I thought I thought I was being lapped, right? So, I’m thinking, well, Elijah Wood’s ahead of me. If I can see, I’m speeding up here, catching up to him because I’m thinking this is the last corner. I’m lapped. This is the last lap. So, uh, you know, and there’s Nigel looking back at me, probably thinking, “Why is he why is he going so fast?” It’s because I’m thinking it’s the end of the race. Um, and then I get up to to um to to Ian and I’m thinking he’s still he’s still riding. Oh no, I’ve got another lap and I’ve kind of buried myself here. Uh, and you can’t appreciate the video, but you know, I got here and I thought, “Oh my god, I’ve got nothing left. I’m going to have to go up that climb. I’m absolutely toast.” There’s Niger going by, you know, much more sensible pace knowing that this is the last lap now. And you know, you got no choice. I actually thought to myself, oh, it’s going to be a bit embarrassing if I can’t actually make it up here. Um, but you know, I did. You know, Nigel’s gone. Um, that is annoying. That is annoying, isn’t it? That is annoying that I would, you know, this position I’m in good place, but now I my speed I’m just like crawling. I’m just feel I’m going so slowly. Um I mean, hey, it’s not just me. Everyone’s knackered. Uh but there there’s David. Hey Darth out the corner of the window window um picture. Nigra’s gone. And it’s not like he’s gone super freaking fast. I’ve just going a lot slower. Um, so that really stupid to tough to think finish. Uh, well, there you go. You live and learn, don’t you? Um, and I thought I’ll just find a better way of keeping track of the laps. Um, what’s nice is I didn’t actually get lapsed. Wonderful. Um, and uh, yeah, I’m just trying to just conserve my energy to go through this because well, I’m just absolutely knackered and probably looking like fresh meat to the people behind me. Um, but I’m just trying to keep going, you know. Um, I’ve still got reserves, but you know, I’m just really, really tired. Oh, Nigel had a bit of a problem there. I kept going there and Nigel’s still there. How am I going to How am I going to lose all these places? I don’t know. I honestly watching this video now for the first time, I don’t remember what happened. Um, but there’s half a lap to go. Nigel’s in 12th. I’m in 13th place. Here comes the wall, you know, destroyed. I’m just falling up here. And I just got up there pretty well. Oh, there’s a wheel next to me. Oh, and and it’s I’ve bumped into David getting on. He’s done a flyer. And then there is Bill K. So that’s that’s 14th. That’s No, that’s 13. That’s 14. So Nigel Wood, Bill K, and um David Hagarth and me. So that’s 12th, 13th, 14th. I’m now in 15th place. Awesome. Oh, what a great race. It’s so much fun. So much fun. So much pain, but so much fun. This is exactly what you want in in a CX race, you know. I don’t know how many times if we had one of those graphics where you see place changes, you know, there’d be so many so many. And I think Bill was going to attack up this hill, but none of us wanted to let him go even though we’re on our knees. And I think I Yeah, I remember now. I get out of the saddle, which I haven’t really done. And just I think I’m just going to try and hold on to David’s David’s wheel, which I do. So, um, yeah. So, hopefully he can drag us back. And Richard Lewis is um is behind, but I’m pretty sure Richard’s not going to catch us now. With the speed we’re going, it would take, you know, an incredible burst of energy from Richard to catch up to us. It’s all fighting. You know, Nidol’s not far ahead. There’s Bill. Look, we caught up to him. David’s pushing out the watts and I’m just trying to hang on. Um, so you know, we are together and it’s it’s the we definitely know it’s the last half lap because probably about this time the Allan uh the announcer is uh shouts you know um what’s his name? Uh, sorry. Uh, oh yeah, Bob. Bob Chip who won, you know, has crossed the line. So, we knew just about with the few brain cells that were still working that this was the last the last lap. I only you looked at the my Garmin and it was like 40 minutes or something. So, I knew that was it. So, I thought, right, just just stick on and and keep going. And maybe maybe I thought, wow, it would be so cool to get into a sprint finish on that last that last uh lap. And then here we go. We’re going up to the second wall and then there’s really not that much further to go. So, I’m trying my best. Look at Look at David. He’s smashing up there again. so good going up that climb. Uh no doubt he’s the same at Canfield. He was there. All right. And then Bill, he’s overtaken Bill. And then I had such a terrible time clipping in. It was bad. And look, I’m still trying to clip in. Um that that is the B60. um 360 winner John McGrath has just gone by. But yeah, I lost I lost momentum big time and I knew I knew at that point there’s just no way I going to able to get back. Um so yeah, I just need to get better at it. just really pans out sometimes and that was the worst moment to have a a mistake. I’m sure a lot of that’s fatigue. Um but you know that that’s when you need your skills even more. Uh so you know uh I I had no idea where I’d finished. I was hoping before the race just not to make too many mistakes, have a good race, not crash, and um perhaps finish in the top 20. I was talking to uh David Aloway the other day uh later on and he said it’s always nice to just try and beat your number. So I finished 18th. I No, my bib number was 18 and I thought I’ve got a good chance. There’s a flag. Yes, there’s a good chance I’ve beaten my number and I’d finished 15th. I was over the moon. Really was happy as Larry. And I was absolutely finished. There you go. [Music] Hold on. And uh which will be coming in behind me. Um but yeah, great really enjoyed it. Um great organizers. Um yeah, so uh hope to see a load of you at Planfield. Cheers everyone. Oh, mate. hell. So hot. Not I thought I thought that was so hard. Oh yeah. Oh, no way. into the pit. Oh, you are joking. But no confidence going down. Yeah. Let’s get off the Yeah. Oh, done. Yeah, that was so hard. So hard. My god. Thanks. No way. Wow. Yeah. Oh, it’s so painful. So painful. Well done, Jimmy. You look good. Well, it’s not like he’s ahead of you. Oh, no. But you’re like, am I good or what do you have? You don’t know. Anyway, I’m not clear the course, please.