The last time I raced in Andorra I managed to take the win in what was a wet, muddy and chaotic race during the Under 23 World Champs in 2015. I was hoping to build on those memories again in 2017, this time in the Elite field for the 3rd World Cup round of the year.

 
Racing at altitude is still something I’m yet to figure out it seems. I got myself a bit boxed in early on and worked super hard to get back to the lead chase group before the end of the first lap. I managed to get back up there but suffered big time from doing so, and after hanging in for another lap I was completely spent. For 2 or 3 laps I felt that everyone else was going twice as fast and I couldn’t hold the wheel of anyone coming past from behind. I dug deep to hang in and with 2 laps to go I was starting to feel a little better and made up a few positions to come home in 18th.
 
It was a reminder of just how cut throat XCO racing is in the Elite field with everyone on the podium having storming rides. If you’re off by 2 percent you have no chance in the current era. I’m looking forward to this weekend in Lenzerheide for WC round 4 where I hopefully won’t make the same errors early in the race and will be able to finish a little higher up. It was great to see fellow Kiwi’s Sam Gaze finish 4th in Elite and Ben Oliver finish 6th in Under 23. Both exceptional results.
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Cycling has always been a huge part of my life as I have been riding ever since I could walk. I see mountain biking as an adventure and a challenge.
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There are many things I love about mountain biking – the people you meet, the skills you need, the concentration it requires, race strategy, the opportunities to explore new places and countries.
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