Monday, August 23, 2010

After Banat Marathon

Ok, you can blame me this time for writing so late, but, it's better later than never, right?
It's a bag thing to share my feelings with you after a race, but so late, because I might forget some things. Hopefully next time, I'll have time right after the race.

For me this was the first participation at the Banat Marathon and because the course was modified I've decided to stick at the medium distance (62km). I went there with Eli and Boldi, with Eli's car. For me at least, considering all the things in my life in the past weeks, was the right decision. I wasn't thinking that I'll race for 4h on 62km, but was fun.

At least I've enjoyed a lot the descends, I tried to mentain my power up to the end but because the long distance between the first and second feed zone, I got my bottle without any liquids and that caused me a really big deshidratation... and a lot of power loss. And I wasn't the only one with this issue.

On the first descend I also had a crash, trying not to hit the rider in front of me and my shoulder was a bit affected to, but I was thinking only to keep a high pace and to do my race. I was happy that the bike didn't had any problems so I could concentrate on the race

I was on the leading group, than I was leading the race for about 50km, but then, because of the deshidratation I could keep the speed and I was caught and I've finished 3rd. Congrats too everyone, and I hope that next year the organisers will listen the riders when they try to explain them something, that might improuve the quality of the race ! I can say that was a good preparation race, as I wanna get in a good shape for Maros Bike Marathon. I also had a recovery week at the seaside, and now I am preparing (a lot of training with my team mate Eli) and I hope that I will be healty and to have the support of loved ones as they are keeping me on this path.

For all the support I would like to say a thank you to Maros Sport but also to the other sponsors and partners: Cannondale, Ashima, Continental, Cratoni, Syntace, Joe's No Flats, Xpedo, Adidas Eyewear, Sapim, Thule, Grip Grab, Novatec, VDO, Zakudo, KMC and Buff.

More photos HERE

Cheers,
Vlad

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Trofeul Tampa - Romanian GP

I am coming back with a short story from the last race that was included in the Romanian XC Gran Prix.

We went there Saturday morning for Poiana Brasov but as our roads are agglomerated we arrived there at 2PM. We had a little snack and we got on the bikes to see the race course. Then I had the first surprise: there where a lot of people having a barbecue... I know that it was Saturday, but it was looking like a barbecue world cup not like a Romanian Gran Prix Race ! For God sake, in this way we can't be healthy and with good sports results !

Being sick to stay there in that smoke, I've decided to see the race course, but again I had a surprise. It was the course where the National CX Champs took place last year, really light modified.... "not to have our life in danger" but wtf it was like a road race with 5 small ditches a few roots and a few small rocks. I think that if you really wanna make a good course you must be really dedicated, not to get only the registration money and not to offer a glass of water ! Anyway...

Got back at our place, changed our clothes and had for a small walk in Poiana Brasov then we had the dinner.

Sunday morning we got up, but knowing that is gonna be a road race in the woods I wasn't in the mood.
I had a good warm up, and also a good start, but after that more roadies past me. For me my objective was to finish the race to get in the top 5 in Romanian Gran Prix, which I've succeded
I tried to keep a constant time on each lap, but in the last one I was pretty tired so I wasn't able to keep it all the way.

After the hard days in my family's life now I am trying to get back on the path to keep training and progress because this is the only way to get better.

This week end my and Eli will race at Banat MTB Marathon and I hope to enjoy the race.
For all the support I would like to say a thank you to Maros Sport but also to the other sponsors and partners: Cannondale, Ashima, Continental, Cratoni, Syntace, Joe's No Flats, Xpedo, Adidas Eyewear, Sapim, Thule, Grip Grab, Novatec, VDO, Zakudo, KMC and Buff.
Also I would like to say a big thank you to Simona and everyone that encouraged me during the whole week end not only in the race.

More photos HERE

Cheers,
Vlad