Race date: 09/Mar/2008
Race series: K-Capital Cup
Race venue: Kilruddery, Co. Wicklow
Race category: Experts
After the pre-ride the day before, I was a bit worried about the mud especially on the first climb off the start line, but luckily it stayed dry. The Kilruddery course has enough to keep you on your toes even in the dry.
I took a position at the front of the grid cause I knew a good start was the only way to avoid carnage and queues descending "The Rock".
I was feeling on good form so I lead the first climb and got down the rock with a decent lead, which I sustained for the rest of the first lap.
I knew Luke Manning from IMBRC was close behind me so had to keep my pace, but I made a fatal flaw at the start of the wooded singletrack on lap two.
Taking a wrong line I hit a root at a bad angle and went over the bars, and as I went down I heard all the air escaping from my front tyre.
I quickly used a Co2 canister to re-inflate it but just as I was getting going again Luke passed me.
I kept right on his tail throughout the remainder of the singletrack cause I was determined to regain my lead.
I knew that I was going well on the climbs so I put the power down and caught him again going into the final lap.
I reached "the rock" for the last time and managed it with no dabs - the only time in the race.
I was wary of the root that threw me off on the previous lap when entering the singletrack so I took a better line this time.
From here on it was a matter of holding my pace and getting home.
My legs were starting to cramp so I had to be careful when making sudden movements like sitting out of the saddle which would trigger it. The last wooded section was tough cause of this but I kept the cramps at bay and made it to the finish line.
It was my first ever win, and a really good start to the racing year and I now have the leaders jersey to show off down the pub!
Oisin.