A year of highs and lows

Coming into the 2022 season I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect but I was full of excitement for what it had in store.

Each year I’ve had a specific goal; 2019 - local races, 2021 - national races and 2022 - EWS. I can’t talk about this year without first mentioning my first ever EWS race in October 2021 Tweed Valley, where I had a mind-blowing start; leading the race by 8 seconds with 2 stages to go and then snapping my finger in half on stage 4 which ended my race.

Unbelievably I won the stage I snapped my finger on.

It took 2 months after that before I could get back on the mountain bike again as the finger wouldn’t bend or straighten much after surgery. So not the best preparation for the 2022 season, but I was ready to give it beans.
It was a surreal mix of emotion, obviously being gutted I couldn’t finish the race, but equally awesome and it validated the belief I always had in myself.

The season began with a few local races. I was feeling actually, pretty good. I knew that the fitness side of things was going to take some time but I felt fairly comfortable back on the bike again. I was definitely feeling the pressure though even in the smaller races; I felt that I had suddenly been catapulted into the top end of the sport and I wasn’t sure quite how I did it.

It wasn’t long before the first World Enduro Series round was upon us. It was back at the Tweed Valley. I was eager for redemption but at the same time, realistic. I just hoped for a good result to prove to myself, that last year wasn’t a fluke. Amazingly, I was 5th on the Pro Stage and then finished up 8th overall. Absolutely stoked. I can’t begin to tell you how awesome it was having the support of the spectators !

Next up was my first set of European EWS races. The first in Petzen, Slovenia, then the second straight after in Val Di Fassa, Italy.

I was so excited, I had no expectations on myself for these it was literally about having fun and enjoying the experience. However, it couldn’t have got off to a worse start; after landing in Venice, I collected the hire car and waited at a quiet wildlife place until my friend Becky Cook arrived on a later plane. I was sat in the shade opposite my car less than a stone throw away with it in sight when two men pulled up next to the car. They got out, went for a walk and got back in the car and started the engine. I looked down at my phone, next thing I know I hear a smash and saw one guy dragging my bag out the window. I ran to the car and they sped off so I got in the car and pursued them glass pinging everywhere. Fortunately for them, they got away but with it was my passport, GoPro, helmet, and other bits and pieces. I immediately started to shake uncontrollably from adrenaline.

It was immensely stressful, driving back and forward to Llubijana to sort an emergency passport (credit to Becky Cook for being such huge support) then I had to collect myself and focus on a big race.

The pro stage was 16 minutes long and I slotted into 11th place. The main race was tough… the stage were physical in 30 plus degree heat, but I was getting through it and enjoying it. One of the transitions was especially hard, having a 1 hour pedal in the heat with all your kit on, no shade and no breeze !! Thankfully the top of the last stage had a lake so I soaked my jersey in it before the race run to stop myself from overheating. Sadly I had a mechanical in the final 16min stage so went from 9th to 13th overall. Though again, I was buzzing.

The tracks at Val Di Fassa were much of the same, presenting a new challenge. It was insanely beautiful being next to the Dolomites. The result didn’t quite work out so well for me I ended up in 30th. However, at this point in the season, I am sitting 10th in the World Enduro Series Overall.

Couldn’t really ask for more ! I was absolutely buzzing, and just so grateful to be getting to ride my bike in these incredible places.

Afterwards I had a few weeks of no races. So I jumped on my Downhill bike and tried to remember how to ride it in prep for the National Downhill Championships at Glencoe. It was a big focus for me, I felt quite confident I could do well and I wanted the stripes.

The Nat Champs practice day went well, I was riding well and linking everything up good. The weather rolled in though and at 4am I had to wrestle my driveaway awning and pack it away as the winds were so strong. It was ready to take off - not the best preparation !! I was so excited for racing though, it didn’t bother me and practice in the rain in the morning was just the best.

However, immediately before my seeding run I read a message to say that my mum had passed away. I immediately blocked it out and did my seeding run, putting me in the lead by just over 3 seconds. I desperately tried not to think about it as I had the big race run to come. I had to pull out every trick in the book to do this. Before the race start, I started getting chest pains because now not only am I dealing with the nervous anticipation of a big race run but also trying to fight off the oncoming grief.

Interestingly, once I got moving and the run started I was only thinking about what was in front of me. I kept my focus and finished my run but it wasn’t enough to win and I was 2 seconds back off Stacey Fisher who deservedly won the stripes. I remember finishing the run and the hurt of losing mum immediately kicked in as I crossed the line. The hug Stacey gave me as I finished my run meant more than she’ll ever realise.

The day after mums funeral, I was at the PMBA round at Llangollen. It was tough, I didn’t know if I had the energy. I couldn’t help but think about Mum on the transitions but again, once I got in between the tape, all I was thinking about was what was in front of me and I realised that this was some form of meditation for me. The healing begun. I managed to put in some good times and take the win. Thank goodness for bikes !!

The next focus was now on the remaining last two EWS rounds. The first at Crans Montana, Switzerland and the last one at Loudenville, France. Fortunately this time round the start of the trip went exceptionally well; I had spent the previous week in Aosta, Italy with the team from Scott and Aosta Valley Freeride.

The morning of the Pro Stage race at Crans was interesting. We got up there for practice to find the top of the hill was covered in snow. It was incredibly fun but thankfully it thawed out pretty quickly and by the time it came to race it was gone. Still dusty near the bottom ! Unfortunately I had a puncture 3 corners into the 9 minute stage, so I lost a lot of time and I never managed to recover the time, so ended up 23rd.

We headed over to Loudenville, in the Pyrenees - again absolutely stunning Scenery. For me, more bad news arrived and Jill, a close friend of mine passed away which hit me hard. At this point I’m now well rehearsed in how to focus and that was evident over this weekend. It had rained, so slick as for the Pro stage, but I buried myself and finished in 7th place. Keen as mustard, I started race day with fire but then, again, 3 corners in I had another puncture. This one was the muddiest wildest stage you can imagine and I did the whole thing on the Vittoria insert and managed to finish in 8th haha ! I’d have put in a belter of a time without the flat.

Anyway, I kept burying myself for the other stages and ended up in 10th place ! Just want to give the UK massive a huge thank you for all the cheers and shouting at me to pedal. It was mega. What a result to finish the season on ! That one was you, Jill.

So that’s the race season all wrapped up !

My first season of EWS and I finished 16th overall having missed some races and bagged some top 10’s along the way. It really was a turbulent year emotionally, some huge highs and lows. I can’t tell you how challenging it is to get yourself in the correct mindset for racing at this level but I suppose during the more difficult times, I wanted to be able to hopefully show people that no matter what is thrown at you, keep showing up and give it your best.

If you give it your best then you can never fail.

Many thank yous to my partners Hope Tech, Scott Sports, Ohlins, Mudhugger, Vittoria, Lean Greens and Silverfish for your support and making this all possible. Over and Out !

Words: Jess Stone

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