WP XCO Willowbridge

So this past Saterday was the first round of the Western Cape XCO series held at Willowbridge.
I had received my team kit from Bart Brentjens (team manager and rider of Superior Brentjens) the previous day so i was very excited to do my first race in my new team kit.
It was super hot at Willowbrigde that day with temperatures of over 35 degrees!
On the start line i was positioned in the second row and knew that i needed a good start to get a comfortable position going into the first singletrack.
My start wasn't that great going around 10th through the first corner and up the first climb.
But i had put some power down and after passing a few riders i had entered the singletrack in 4th position with Gert Heyns, Renay Groustra and Craig Boyes in front of me. Dominic Calitz was right on my back wheel...

During the first lap i had taken a stupid fall which had cost me a few precious seconds.
After the first lap i was around 20 seconds behind the leaders.
During lap 2 i had struggled in the heat and my power was way down from the first lap.
I had lost 2 or 3 positions during lap 2 and 3 as the heat had effected my race big time.
I had cold water thrown over my head almost every lap to try and keep myself cool.
I kept on fighting to try not loose too much time on the riders at the front of the race.
After 4 laps i had found my legs again and managed to get into 4th place for u23.
The last 2 lap i had a good momentum and finished the 6 lap race in 4th place for u23 men...

This was not the result i wanted but looking how early it is in the season it wasn't too bad.
Next weekend is the first round of the SA XCO Cup series on the same course and hoping or better legs for nationals.

Till next time
Paul  :)

GO Superior Brentjens!