An excellent pre-season indicator.

With winter coming close, race timings are getting a bit later, which is excellent. So no 3:30 AM alarms anymore. This time we were blessed with an alarm at 5:30 AM. So it was just a matter of breakfast, collecting all the equipment I’d prepared, and driving off to the racing venue.

Rachelle decided to change her race preparations because she knew the course. She wanted to get on the rollers and prepare near the start-finish line. So 30 minutes before the start, she jumped on the bike and was equipped with rollers. Some practice starts, and BAM, Rachelle is doing some soil investigations. A very rookie mistake, unable to get out of the pedals because she had mounted brand-new cleats. Stupid, silly, and right in front of everybody, this was not something she expected. She quickly hopped on the bike again and continued her preparations.

7:30 and we are off for 3 laps. Rachelle immediately took the lead, followed by Marion Fromberger (UCI MTB Eliminator World Cup). Together both ladies were in a league of their own. In the second lap Marion managed to pass Rachelle. Now it was Rachelle in the pursuit. It was a tense battle, with the ladies competing wheel to wheel for almost the entire race. During the last lap Marion benefited from a weak moment in Rachelle’s race. A small gap was forced, and Rachelle could no longer keep Marion her wheel. Following the three laps, Marion came out on top, followed by Rachelle for second place a few seconds later.

We are delighted with this result and the race, as it gives us loads of feedback. In terms of training and preparations for the next season, we are on the right track. The UCI MTB Eliminator World Cup is still our primary focus, as you might know.