Tips from a World Cup Cross-Country MTB rookie

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Monday, 25 April 2011 12:38

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Lessons from ITU World Cup, Pietermaritzburg 2011

It was an absolute delight to have the World Cup back in South Africa for the second time after a gap year in 2010. The course had undergone a major face lift from two years ago and we were introduced to some challenging rock gardens, 30% gradient climbs, and super-fast twisting single-track. The course had endured a rather disastrous National the previous weekend, with riders sliding their way around in treacherous conditions. It was an absolute mud bath – it had even hailed! But on the weekend of the World Cup, the track was smooth and hard-pack, which made for excellent racing!

I don’t know what it is about the international riders that make them so intimidating. And there were plenty of them. On Saturday at 11:47, two minutes after the elite women, saw the start of us – the U23 women. It had warmed up nicely by then and we were building up a sweat on the start line already (mine being mostly from nerves!). In cross country, the start is so important. Everyone races to get into the single track first to avoid the bottle-neck that forms at the back.

My heart was sitting in my throat and I was shaking like a leaf, but before I knew it, we were off. No turning back now. I had a pretty decent start, working my way around the bunch of girls, but just as we took a sharp right, one of the Italian girls swerved right out, pushing me into the barrier. I was right at the back again. Sure enough, the first singletrack was unpleasant with the sharp switch-backs and I was forced to jump off and run, along with some girls in front of me.

By now, I realised that I was just not myself. I felt like a rigid stick on the bike, and riding the technical sections seemed like more of an effort than usual. All I could do now is just try calm myself and pray that all goes well on the down hills! But cross country racing can be very unforgiving. Your mind and body needs to be in it 110%, otherwise you can just forget it. Although one thing I’ve learned in this sport is to NEVER GIVE UP.

I finished a long way off from the winner, but I ended up learning a lot in the 90 minutes of intense racing: Europeans do whatever it takes to get in front (and stay there!); every second counts; and don’t be scared of falling.

I will continue my gain of experience at the rest of the World Cups throughout the year. I know in my heart that it can only get better... after all: What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger!

Caitlin de Wet, 25 April 2011