I know I’ve been on good form of late but I definitely wasn’t expecting to win in Gränichen, especially over such a strong field.

The temperature was crazy hot at the venue and the track was getting blown out and dusty. I arrived the day before and only had 2 laps on the track so I knew I couldn’t push too hard on the descents as I was going to be still somewhat learning the track over the first few laps of the race.

I had a great start and was up near the front from the beginning. The first few laps were a bit cat and mouse but on the 4^th lap I took the front and kept the pace high. At the end of that lap there were just three of us left at the front of the race. On lap 5 Sam Gaze pushed hard and Nino dropped back with just a lap to go. From there it was a battle to the line against fellow Kiwi and Under 23 World Champ Sam Gaze. I pushed hard on some of the climbs but Sam stayed glued to my wheel. I fought hard to protect my lead over the last lap so I had the advantage of coming into the tight and twisty final few hundred metres first. I managed to get a slight gap near the end of the lap and crossed the line in 1^st with Sam 2^nd and Nino 3^rd.

It’s a great confidence boost heading into my upcoming altitude training block and the next World Cup rounds. The pieces of the puzzle are all falling into place.