The first real race where I got to show off my National Champs kit and I couldn’t finish due to the re-occurring back injury which had hampered me in the lead up to the National Champs and why I didn’t get to race so much over the Christmas period.

After a good start I was in the top 25 but was holding my top 30 position feeling good holding the right wheels on the super-fast but equally slippy course in France. However after only 25 or so minutes I could feel my back tightening up like it had in Namur however this time given the course there was nowhere to really ease up and try and loosen it off. I was so disappointed to have to stop and go back to the van in a foul mood. With the bigger picture being the world champs now in just under 2 weeks’ time on the mega tough course on the sand of Koksijde, pulling out and not really injuring myself was in hindsight the best option.

I great massage two days after the race got the rehab started then today, Thursday I managed to see my Chiropractor who was able to manipulate my back into working order. Obviously this has put a downer on my training in the lead up to Worlds but after visiting the course yesterday I’m in a positive mood. Over the past few seasons my skills in the sand have really improved and come on fast with hours of practice. I got to grips with the course pretty quick and I really believe my goal of a top 25 is possible come race day.

Next up is the final round of the World Cup series in Hoogerheide, Holland. It’s the last chance to up my UCI points tally before the World Champs.