IT DOESN’T ALWAYS GO TO PLAN
Back in May 24, I was fortunate enough to have qualified to represent GB at the Gravel World Champs.
After a gruelling 68.5 miles of racing at the Gralloch and placing 8th in age group (unfortunately having to drop down from elite due to a knee injury and being unsure how it would hold up, but fortunately qualifying for worlds!)
Fast forward a few months to October, a 14-hour travel day saw my Auntie and I set off from near Gisburn, Lancashire, head that far south in the UK that we nearly got nosebleeds, catch the ferry from Dover to Calais and make our way, nervously on the wrong side of the road, to Halle in Belgium.
This year’s world champs were held in Flanders, and the course ran from Halle to Leuven, with a finish loop around Leuven…
The day before the race was sign on day – the atmosphere in Halle was buzzing and the weather was stunning, as a leg and lung stretch before the race, I rode part of the course. What a treat the first 15 miles were, rolling twin tracks, canal paths and typical Belgium pavé, leaving me very excited to race!
On the race morning, the atmosphere again was brilliant- super busy with riders and spectators everywhere, unlike anything I’ve experienced previously. As the elite ladies started their race, and other categories made their way to the start line, apprehension grew until the start bell rang, the game face was on and back to work it was!
Despite the hot weather (I don’t race well in the hot) and current years factors meaning training was quite minimal, my race was going well – the beautifully scenic and fun course took away some of the pain in the legs and lungs.
Unfortunately, when arriving in Leuven, I was mixed up in a bunch of riders from the master’s categories, so as we crossed the finish line, everyone in the group was herded into the finish area, before I realised I had another loop to ride, the timing chip was snipped off my bike leaving me unable to re-enter the course.
This was a less than ideal was to finish my first world champs experience, but shit happens and at least I was there for shit to happen.
I’ll be back for 2025!
Words: Vic Peel