Cycling BC Provincials was set to be a great day for racing. With the smoke clearing out the night before, the weather was perfect for a fast day out. As Red Truck’s only junior athlete I had my work cut out for me, but the pre-race plan had been made and I was ready to give it my all.
My race consisted of 4 1/2 laps of the hilly course, and my race being earlier in the morning, the conditions were perfect. The pack was very relaxed as we rolled the first half lap without much panic before the hill. The first time up the hill there were a few attacks but were quickly dragged back the still fresh pack. The second lap went by quite uneventful, but on the third lap, I decided to give it some good old-fashioned Red Truck watts.
Splitting the pack and cresting the hill with four other riders, the gap looked hopeful but it was not to be had, as the group maintained a fast pace down the backside descent and caught us after ten or so kilometres. With the last time up the hill coming I decided to throw all my chips on the table and again attacked up the hill. A repeat of the previous lap happened, but I attacked at every opportunity as the finish loomed near.
With a kilometre to go, I realized my sprint was not quite there to outgun my fellow racers, as a final move I long bombed it. Coming around the final corner I had a small lead, but in an unfortunate turn of events, I was caught with 50 meters to go, with the lead sprinters passing me. A fourth place on the day was I could muster, but none-the-less I am happy with my result knowing that I had spent it all to try and earn the coveted BC Champions jersey.