From the wet and cold of the English winter I had the pleasure once again of joining the Lee Valley Junior Team in Mallorca, for a week of sun and climbs. This would be my second outing to Mallorca and I was very much looking forward to shedding the layers and getting a bit of sun on my back.
Heading off from Stansted, a quick yet interesting flight, where we had the trepidation of auto-pilot landing us in the fog! We woke the next day to beautiful sun and a 130km ride south to Manacor, returning with a nice red tinge to my skin, the sun really does still shine. We followed this up on day 2 with 150km, including Puig Major and then day 3 a 120km to Randa.
Sunday soon came and with it an exciting opportunity to race with the boys, in the sun and wind of Mallorca. I’ve raced in quite a few countries. England, Scotland, Wales, Belgium, and Holland. None have been quite like racing in Mallorca. Every country has its own quirks when racing. In Belgium you have to be on the start line 30 minutes before the start to get a decent position. Here I lined up on the front row 5 minutes after we were due to start. After an excited briefing, we rolled out through a leisurely neutral section, before the flag dropped. The speed quickly ramped up to above 40kph, where it stayed for most of the day.
The first two laps didn’t take very long, and weren’t particularly difficult either. A German Conti team decided to ride all day, so every breakaway attempt was quickly pulled back. This made for really easy racing, so our legs were fresh for the final lap. The race was essentially lapping Alcudia and Pollenca with the race destined to finish with a ten minute climb, up to the viewpoint on the Cap de Formentor. Knowing I’m not the best climber on the team, I made the call on the road to put our climbers in position for the finale. I moved up and told the lighter boys to get on my wheel, before then jumping on another team-mates wheel. Not long after we had an eight man lead out, racing alongside the Germans, who had done the same at the front of the race.
With about 12km to go, we turned left onto the coast road and into the crosswinds. Time to get in an echelon. I’ve raced in echelons once before, that was at Ster Van Zuid Limburg, on a very Belgian day. Slightly different to 20 degrees and sunshine! They’re the easiest way to race crosswinds, so long as you’re in the right one. We were up at the front, tucked in behind the Germans. It wasn’t easy, but it was a lot easier than it could’ve been.
We then turned left and went on the bypass round Pollenca. It was about 6km to the bottom of the climb, and time to turn on the turbos. Stanley started dragstripping the Germans for the first 3km, before it was my turn to pull through, the boys on my wheel. Three roundabouts to go. We went opposite sides at each. On the first one we came back level. And again on the second. On the third, I gave it everything I had left, coming out with 10m on the Germans. Another 150m into the bottom of the climb, and then job done for the day. The climbers flew up the climb, with Reece getting 5th, and Charlie, Paul, and Tom coming Top 20. Not a bad day at the office. I rolled in, picking off riders on the climb to finish 66th, exhausted but pleased for the lads finishing the job.
Ideally a rest day to follow but no chance on a training camp so day 5 was Sa Battalla and Sa Calobra. A couple of stunning climbs in a 135 km day. 2 days then left saw us head south again to Sant Salvador, where we had the joy of riding with, if only momentarily, Mads Pederson, Ryan Gibbons and Alex Kirsch. Before the final day to the lighthouse for a quick morning ride before the afternoon flight.
All in all a great camp and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Matt at Matts Auto Repair Services, https://www.mattsautorepairservices.co.uk, without his generosity I would not be able to take part in the camp and it is hugely appreciated. Thanks also to Bob and Julie for organising the camp and Bruce, Simon and Joe for supporting the rides.
Onwards now to Manchester and Belgium for slightly less sun!
Gilbank Racing 