jcrc gunma csc race report

JCRC Gunma CSC on Sunday. 72 km, 12 laps of the hilly Gunma Cycle Sports Centre circuit.

The build up

After 3 weeks of intensive interval training, I had a rest week. 3 days off, 3 days easy, one hard effort with a midweek FTP test.

This is not a major race target for me but working with my coach we've fine tuned the annual training plan. Shorter and harder intervals have been focused on this race. Last week we tapered off nicely.

The bike

The GS Astuto aerobike has brought me a track TT win, a road TTT 2nd place and a very pleasing performance in a flat and windy road race at Uchinada.

This is the first time to test it on a technical hilly circuit. I'm hoping to play it to its strengths on the fast descents and rolling sections.

"Not the prettiest girl at the dance, but she can swing!" is how chief spoke Tim Smith describes her...

The team

3 of us from the last race at Uchinada, Hayakawa san, Adachi san and me.

The plan

• I plan to go on the last lap.

• Adachi san is looking to break with some strong riders. I'll take this opportunity if I can too.

• An unlikely scenario is that 3 of us will make the break.

• Those not in a break will work to control the group.

The warm up

2 climbs of the big hill up to Gunma CSC. Super hot.

3 hard x 30 second efforts to finish.

Ready to race.

Start line

Line up with Adachi san. "What was the plan again?"

Not nervous. A good sign.

The finish line has been moved to the top of the hill. That will change the dynamic a bit. Neutral start behind a lead motorbike.

Lap 1

3, 2, 1 Go!

Easy into it. We take up positions 1,2,3 behind the lead motorbike. The downhill. Fast for a neutral start. The group splits. But the motorbike slows it down. Brings it back together.

The drop of the flag. 2 hoots of the horn. Race on!

Attack! One guy goes straight from the gun. Solo. He's qualified for the "zen Nihon" national championships apparently.

We're on the front. He's dangling off the front. Looking back. Looking back. Obviously doesn't want to go alone.

Later I'll read he was "going at 80% waiting for a strong rider to bridge". With the 3 of us on the front, I felt we had the upper hand.

He holds his gap for the first lap.

Lap 2

Hayakawa san leads the group into the second lap.

We keep working on the front. Close the gap slowly. I'm on the front as we enter lap 3. The solo breakaway is 15 s in front.

Lap 3

The breakaway is swallowed up. We're still on the front.
My favorite part of the course is between the 2 climbs on the bottom of the course.

I do a long hard pull. Into the main climb. Adachi san comes round. Then Hayakawa san. Look back. We have a gap.

"Just the 3 of us!"

Up the climb. Adachi san leads. If you want to know how people are riding, look at their mouths.

Adachi san is breathing through his nose. Hayakawa san and I are catching flies!

This is a dream situation. Surely the group won't let it slip.

Sure enough, we are joined buy a few fast guys.

This is a nice group. Potentially a race winner?

But the gap is small. We are swallowed up just after entering the 4th lap.

Lap 4

Counter attacks? A few half hearted ones. All the big guns have burnt some matches in the last move.

This a chance?! I must be mad!

The downhill. 2 guys up the road. 2 deep breaths. Go!

The 53 × 11. Full gas. Wide of the 2 escapees. They are my smoke screen. A big kick to pass them. The back wheel bounces. All or nothing! 60 kmph. Still pedaling. A good gear choice!

Here come the 2 bends. How much to risk it? Got to be faster than the group here. Just about make it through the sweeping left hander at full tilt.

Don't look back. Don't look back.

Keep drilling it along the bottom. Into the last crucial climb. Can't resist any longer. Look back. Nobody!

If you can solo up the big climb, you have a chance.

Over the top! Over the finish line. The sign says... 8 laps to go!

Bonkers!

Round the home straight. Solo into lap 5. A single chaser. Then 2 more chasers. The group is 30 seconds back.

Lap 5

I know how to race this course. Tempo on the climbs. As hard as possible on the descents.

I say tempo on the climbs. But it's not. I'm on the limit. Power data. Heart rate data. It's of little use. It's all on feel. As hard as I can. Without blowing up.

The descents are different. Impossible to blow up here. Give it everything.

Enter lap 6 solo. The group is 20 seconds back.

Lap 6

How long is this gonna last? At Uchinada RR I did 2 × 15 mins off the front.

But that was pancake flat. Here they close in on the climbs. But I can stretch it out on the descents.

Enter lap 7 solo. 30 seconds on the group now. Finding my rhythm! Check the video at 1:30!

Lap 7

Still out there. Holding off the group.

Hayakawa san and Adachi san are controlling things. Much as we did for Adachi san when he and Adam were off the front here last year.

I don't think I'll make the finish. This is a team game. When the small fish is eaten up, Adachi san will finish it off. At least that's the theory!

I'm surprised how long it's taking though.

Put me out of my misery will you! Can't you see I've had enough!

Lap 8

At last some action. The steep climb. Two guys are coming up. They pass me right on the hairpin.

3rd on the road now. Throw in the towel? It takes a big effort to catch them.

3 escapees now.

The guy in orange has the telltale signs of a strong guy. Ripped muscles. A JBCF number holder!

The Nalsima guy is last year's winner of Fuji Challenge. My next target race. Wonder what he's got...

Lap 9

The orange guy is fast on the climbs. The Nalsima guy more a diesel like me. I'm sure we are going to be caught so I do big long pulls. Holding off the catch as long as possible.

Hammering it on the descents and rolling sections. Boy can this bike shift!

Lap 10

2 laps to go. Maybe, just maybe...

Another guy bridges. In arm warmers. Arm warmers!? It's 35 degrees! Shoulders like Greipel. He'll kill me if this comes down to a sprint!

The group can't be too far back...

Little did I know it but Adachi san was bridging too. Talk about timing!

Lap 11

5 of us now. I'd like to pull Adachi san to the finish. But he's got the legs.

He accelerates. A small gap. The orange guy sees it. Bridges.

The other 2 are left in my slipstream.

Adachi will win. I have no doubt.

We, the remaining 3, have a lap and a half to try to hold on for the podium.

Lap 12

The last lap is always the fastest. Chin on the stem time in the group.

Caught by the group on the bottom rolling section. The fireworks start. Most are thinking they're at the head of the race.

"Adachi is up front" I tell Hayakawa san. No respsonse. He's totally in the zone. A stirling job by him.

The last climb. We're both dead. Roll over in 17th and 18th.

Did Adachi san finish it off?

Into the pits. There he is. The 1 finger salute. Get in! Hugs all round.

Only one in the photo for the sprint finish:

There's satisfaction in individual victory. But it's extra special to put it all on the line for someone else.

We rode a similar race at Uchinada but didn't quite pull it off. This time everything lined up perfectly.

A great day on the bike. Bring on the next race in August!

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photos: Wada san, ありがとうじょんのび！