Race Report: CS World Championships, Hoogerheide, NE

February 3rd, 2009 | Posted by Bart | Topic: News

You would not have known we were in the Netherlands by the amount of Belgian fans in Hoogerheide. Granted, it is just across the border, so I guess the next best thing to racing CX Worlds in Belgium is right across the border. It was quite a scene. Credentials were your saviour as one tried to get in and out of gates and into ‘the box’, as it became known. Each country had an indoor cubicle for the athletes and the USA Cycling also had our outdoor headquarters.

I rode to the course in the morning with Laura Van Guilder. It was a nice way to start the day, with a strong headwind and temperatures below freezing. But it didn’t matter. It felt good. Race day was finally here. I was elated that the day had finally come, the culminating event, the reason I had worked hard all season. I was one of a strong five U.S. women that were there to represent and race hard. Tensions were high, but I was so relieved to be here that I found a sort of calm state and was more excited than anything. I had already had the best domestic cx season of my career and although my euro trip had been tough. I knew it would pay off. After a lap on the course, it was trainer time.

I felt like a monkey in the zoo. Fans gathered around the taped off safe zone and just watched us on our trainers. Mostly total strangers. Occasional a familiar face would wave and give the thumbs up, but not intrude on your race prep. Early on on the trainer, I was signing autographs, talking to reporters and just spinning, but it was time to focus. And it was time to have some fun! I actually decided to ride to the start by taking a lap. I almost felt silly, as no one was on course, but the parcours was lined 5 people deep with fans.

I am glad I did, because I totally bit it in one of the corners and went down hard. I had gotten my fall out of the way. I finished my lap, then got into the start gate. Call ups were relatively quick, and then the light turned green. Off we went. I missed my pedal about 10 times and found myself last, but it was a blessing in disguise. I got around the crash without getting off my bike and got back into the race. I raced my heart out, remembering what Tim, my husband, had told me, “Race it like it is your last race.” You never know. Just give it your all and most importantly, have fun!” Although I probably wasn’t smiling externally, I was working hard. I was smiling from the inside out. I had just raced my second world championship in my 4th season of cyclocross!