World Champion’s Report

You’ll remember that Denis Smith won the magical rainbow jersey for his age group last weekend at the masters cyclocross world championship.  With Vic Barnett taking the bronze medal Welland Valley Cycling Club certainly had a presence on the podium. Here’s Denis’ thrilling report of the race through his eyes.

Hello all,
Here are some aspects of my successful ride in the CX World Championships at Ipswich on Friday last.  The day was fraught with niggles.  Firstly, the programme was for the 75-79 (age bracket) race to start at 1.30pm but at 12.30pm Austin found me and said, “Don’t panic dad, but your race now starts at 1pm”. I was then informed that my rear wheel had a slow puncture, so Austin and Nathan said they would take that bike to the pits and fit a new tube while I warmed up on the spare bike. This I did and 25 mins later I was ready to join the start line when Austin turned up with my bike with brand new tube fitted. This was a relief as the spare bike was not one that I had raced before.
I was on the start line looking at the opposition when we got the 30 seconds to start call by the commissaire. At this point I slipped back onto my seat and clipped in my left foot then tip toed on my right foot only to feel my right calf start to cramp up. Not what you want at that moment! Under my breath I was begging them to start the race, then the whistle went and I was off with a fantastic start.

As I recall, I led all the way up the tarmac road and then left handed onto the grass, quickly into a tight right hander, slipping right handed again then left. At this point the Frenchman (Michel Francois) came by followed by the Belgian, Ward Leivans. I quickly got in behind them and followed. We did some tight turns and then over the bridge to the planks which we all made it over cleanly.

Then off again myself at the rear of the three. I followed until the 40 metre long sand pit, Michel and Ward made it through with no problems, but I lost my groove and came to a halt giving them an advantage, so off I went in hot pursuit.  It took half a lap before I caught them just going onto the tarmac road which forms the start and finish straight.  I then sat in as it was head wind up the straight.

At this point I was happy to follow as I had over spent my energy pulling them back. As we went over the bridge again I thought that this is how the whole race could pan out and then it would be a sprint finish.
We got to the sand pit again and I made it further than the previous time but again they were away and gone so I had to make up ground. This time I caught them at the fourtrack course and sat in but when Ward exited the area he sped off and to my surprise Michel didn’t follow.  I wasn’t quick enough off the mark, I now had to follow on the single track through the trees. It was only when we got out of the wooded area was I able to overtake the Frenchman and chase down the Belgian.  I caught them again before the next bridge and was pleased that I was stronger over the bridges although I didn’t get past.  We did the planks again and then it was the sand yet again.  I was on wet mud tyres and this possibly caused me issues as again I lost time. However, I was able to pull this back and followed Ward although I was never quite able to get to the front.

It was only on the last lap that I got the impression he was tiring and after the fourtrack piece he looked over his shoulder and this is when I took my chance before the wooded section so I could get a good buffer before the finish straight.  I got onto the long tarmac finish straight unaware that the leader of the 65-69 age group was behind me, who was causing a great commotion with the crowd.  I thought the commotion was Ward was coming back so I gave it everything I had, only to be passed 20 metres from the line by Chris Wreghitt. I saw the low number on his jersey (10) and realised I was the winner but I was too spent to acknowledge the fact. It was only when the second place Ward Leivans came to congratulate me that it all sank in, I had won. What a race; one that will remain my most memorable.
Thanks to all those of you who have sent me congratulations, I don’t know all of you by name but thanks for your support.
Denis Smith