Like always in Leogang, the week started with lots of rain.
I didn’t have much luck in a muddy XCC race, when a rider crashed right in front of me at the start, leaving me right at the back of the field.
I tried to be patient and work my way through the field but could only make it up to 32nd place before my legs had nothing more to give.
For the XCO I knew a good start was essential to a strong result and I got off the line well.
Unfortunately, 100m later my chain went boom and snapped in two. I was left with no choice other than to pull out of the race then or run half a lap to the next tech zone.
I decided to get my running shoes on and when I finally made it to the tech zone, way behind the rest of the field the team installed a new chain, and I could get back on my bike once more.
I crossed the line at the end of the first lap dead last, 3 mins 41secs down.
I knew the points inside the top 60 are significantly better than if you finish outside the top 60 so I set that as a goal.
In the end I was able to claw back quite a few positions to finish in 51st place and still on the lead lap.
I was proud of my fight and that I was able to salvage something from the day, leaving with my head held high.