Ten or so days back on the bike and I was already itching to get back racing. Luckily it didn't take long, with a last minute call up to ride the opener of the senior Revolution series 2012/13 in Manchester coming on Saturday morning. Unfortunately the call came half an hour into a ride with Rhys, cue manic rush home, pack and trip over to Euston to jump on a train!
Fast forward a few hours and I was pulling on my mitts ready to ride my first ever 'Madison Kilo' with my Team Sky team mate for the evening; professional rider and National TT champion Alex Dowsett. I think its fair to say that I was pretty much the most nervous I have ever been before a race. I am not entirely sure why but I hope Alex didn't notice me shaking slightly as I lead him up the banking ready to sling him into the race!
The results on the night didn't exactly go to plan on a personal level. I think its fair to say I was really digging in to try and do anything in the racing, possibly lacking a bit of speed with a few interval free weeks. I tried to work for Alex as much as I could throughout the evening however there wasn't a whole lot I could do! The experience of riding the series was pretty cool, not every race I am in the same bunch as Ed Clancy and teammates with Dowsett after all. Hopefully if I can get another ride this winter I will turn up with a little better legs and show some more of myself.
After a quick nights stay in Yorkshire with Ol, it was down to rainy and wet Newport for the Induction camp to the 2013 ODP. We had a great weeks riding on the road and track, really cracking on with some solid training and starting to build a strong base for next years season. I felt good returning to the Team Pursuit and putting to practice all that I learnt over this year, whilst starting to build dreams for what 2013 may hold.
For now I have a month or so of training at home, cracking on with some base mileage and steadily adding layers of clothing as the days get shorter and darker!
For the next month or so you can watch the racing here! (UK viewers only)
For the next month or so you can watch the racing here! (UK viewers only)