Friday, August 19, 2011

A shy come back



As you must be already used too, this will be again a 2 (races) in 1 (post). The major problem is the time that seems that is not enough so I have to plan it really careful.

I will start my short report with the Banat Marathon from August 7th, where I've raced the short distance coming back on the bike after a complete 2 week break after a serious flu that kept me in the bed with a lot of pills and hot tea. I can't say to much about the course or the race because was a short one, as I like them. I am a "short track" fan so this suited me very well. I didn't pushed to hard but I was leading the race with another rider and in the last kilometers I've pushed a bit and gain some time finishing 1st, 7 seconds ahead the second place.
This motivated me a lot and set the smile on my face.


After a week I headed Oradea for an XCO event, organised by VeloSport Oradea. I know that 10 years ago was another race there but then I wasn't racing so for me was a nice surprise. The course was really really nice with steep uphills and technical descends so for me was something that fitted like a glove.
Another surprise was the participation of two Hungarian riders. One of them was Blazso Marton, the winner of Maros Marathon last year, and 3rd this year at Maros XCO. Also he was 3rd at the National Championships in Hungary at XCO and XCM so the level of the race increased a lot even if we were not so many riders at the Elite Cat.
I had a fast start but after the start loop I tried to find a good pace. After the first uphill I was second behind the hungarian rider and I keep it that way 3 laps when my team mate Tudor passed me and I couldn't keep the speed and after 5 laps I've finished 3rd. Eli finished 4th, Zoli 5th and Nicu was 1st at the Amateur cat.
I had a great time with my team mates at a pool with thermal water before and after the race, that chilled me and made me feel better.
I also had a great time with the guys from Oradea. Big thanks for the after race pizza. You don't see really often this king of hospitality !
Many thanks to Nicu who was great at the feed zone changing the bottles, to Raluca, Mura Istvan and Palca Szilard for the photos. Also many thanks to everyone on the course that cheered me up and congratulations to everyone involved in this event ! I had great time.

More photos can be seen on my Picasa Album.

And a footage on the TV and a short movie on Youtube.





Thanks again to to Maros Sport for all the support but also to the other sponsors and partners:Ashima, Continental, Cratoni, Syntace, Joe's No Flats, Xpedo, Adidas Eyewear,Sapim,Thule,Grip Grab, Rest Wise, VDO, KMC Chains, Power Cordz, Kool Stop,Zakudoand Buff. Thanks a lot for reading and next time hope you'll read better news.

Hope to hear you soon with even more good news.

Cheers,
Vlad