After a long altitude training camp and solid performance in Lenzerheide I was hoping for a strong ride in the thin air of Andorra.
I didn’t feel too punchy in the short track, battling thick dust and a fast pace to bring it home for a 3rd row start.
I felt much better at the start of the XCO and tried to settle into a good rhythm. Typically, in altitude races I struggle the first laps but come strong at the end so was hoping for more of the same this time around.
Unfortunately, I only made it 2.5 laps into the race before I clipped a pedal on a super easy part of the track and was sent flying off my bike landing on my right hand.
I was no longer able to continue due to my injuries and damaged bike, handing me my first DNF in 10 years.
X-rays at the hospital showed no break but the muscle in my thumb was quite damaged and bruised. I was able to get back on the road bike a few days later and on the MTB again a couple of weeks later so not too much training missed.