With three races already in my legs at Gavere, Diegem, and Hulst I was uncertain as to how I would feel for the final race of my day on, day off week of racing. However, I was excited to put on the new Donkey Label kit and officially start my time with the team. Some would call the course in Pétange mountain "bikey", which it is, but I prefer the term "old school." It is located on a forested hillside with lots of gravel roads, multiple single-track sections and minimal amounts of grass. For me the highlight was the first half of the downhill that was wide and buff single track where you could rail a few bermed corners while taking some recovery after the long climb.
I was on the front row and snagged the hole shot before being passed as we came into the first running section. My first lap was not ideal, sliding backwards as I didn't have the best lines picked out and going through the pits after my rear tire developed a slow leak. I was somewhat disheartened at the end of the first lap to see I was outside the top ten in a race I was aiming for the podium. None the less, I got to work and quickly began making passes on the second lap. By the laps end I had moved into eight and adjusted to several lines that I hadn't found in pre ride. The rest of the race was very much a solo effort. I rode in seventh without seeing anyone in front or behind me for multiple laps before with two laps remaining, I spotted fifth and sixth about 20 seconds ahead. I kept at it, my head down and was able to make the pass for sixth at the top of the climb on the last lap. Given how the race unfolded, I am very happy to have stuck with it and have strong enough legs to move through the field.
Kaya and Jules didn't have the best of races as they try and find the groove of European racing.
I knew it would be unconventional to skip the New Years race in Baal but I think we have found a better fit than racing to be on the lead lap in Baal. I would like to thank team Top Road Roeserbann for helping us in the pits.
All three of us will race again in Gullegem on January 6th and we will have McGovern back to keep us in order.
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