May 30th, World Cup, Houffalize, Belguim
Result: DNF

Well well well... what can I say? I cant always blame bad luck, but I what ever it is, i've had just about enough of it now! I had to pull out of the race today after puncturing on the 3rd lap, and then completely screwing up the repair. I was using a new foam sealent, and it proved more difficuilt then I had imagined. I was in 18th position at the time, and feeling good. At least now I will be fresh for next week!

Well, now the worldcup overall is over for me, and so I will focus on other goals. I will probably try to prepare for the marathon world champs, and then focus on the Olympics.

May 23rd - World Cup #1, Madrid
Result: 15th

How exciting!!! The first world cup of the year always brings such a huge anticipation. Everyone wondering how there form will rank against everyone else's. And to be in Madrid makes it even more special, because the fans are so awesome here. Firstly, as the race is held within 1km of downtown, the number of spectators is huge, and secondly, it seems that the spanish just love to cheer and make noise, so it really gets you going.

On Saturday, meanwhile the grand royal wedding was being held a few kilometers down the road, the heavens opened up and blessed the course with a huge down pour. It was the best thing that could have happened, as it transformed a sandy skittery and pollen infested course, into a super fast and super fun course. Without any big hills in the area, the Madrid course is famous for the constant small, yet steep, power climbs. It always makes for a hard race, yet one usually suited for the more stocky, strong riders.

The woman raced first, and it was Gun Rita Dahle all the way, for another convincing victory. Nothing much new there! Annecy based, Alison Syder was 3rd, and kiwi girls Robyn and Sonja were around 42nd and 48th I think.

I was amped and ready by the time our race kicked off, but maybe a little too ambitious going for an inside line on the first corner. Before I knew it, somebody put out his elbow and I got pushed into the fencing. My barend got hooked and flipped me straight over the handlebars!!! By the time I had straightened the bars again, and got going, I was probably around 110th position. So, basically, race over in the first corner. Or so I thought.

I realized the importance to do my best to try to get as best a finish as possible, otherwise I would be at the back of the grid for next weeks World Cup in Belgium. So I did my best to fight past as many riders as possible on that first lap. I came through after lap 1 in 69th place, 2.30min behind!

After this I just focused on catching the next riders, recovering a while, then moving on. I slowly moved up the field, gaining 10-15 places each lap. I must say it was quite a nice feeling to ride up to a group of 3-5 riders, then just ride past with ease! So what if they were in 70th place... I felt fast! I was surprised with how good my legs were feeling, and even more surprised when, with 2 laps remaining, I caught and passed a group of 8 guys, around the 20th position! Here was really good riders, including Ryder Hysjedal, Jeremy Hogan Kobalskia and Lyam Killan.

In the end I was super happy with the 15th place finish... and a new personal record for numbers of riders passed in a race!!! I proved to myself that I can come from the back, and that its definitely never worth to give up...
Now I'm just looking forward to next week on the infamous Houffalize circuit.

Later,
Kashi

16 May 2004 Swiss Cup, Perrifitte.
Result: 5th

After a really cold snap 2 weeks ago, it finally feels like summer has come to stay now. The weather is just gorgeous at the moment, so we are spending a bit of time each day down at the beach, and eating a few too many gilatos :)

I had hopes to be able to make a win at the Swiss Cup last weekend, but it was not to be. The previous week my body decided to go on strike, and I was super tired all week, unable to train hard. I backed off completely, and managed to avoid getting sick, but I am still feeling the remains of what ever it was.

The race course was great, but with a tired body, I felt the pace right from the start. Jean Christoph Peroud broke free right away, and rode an awesome race to beat his country mate, Cedric Ravenal. I was struggling the whole way, and a slipping seat-post (I'll never put any greece on that again!) didn't make it any better. I was passed by Fredirc Kessiekof and Phillip Tavell, who were in there own "top Swede" battle to impress there Olympic selector who was there on the day, and settled for 5th. I was just happy to have finished, as I felt like pulling out the whole way!

Tomorrow I head to Madrid for the first World Cup, so hopefully the body will find its rhythm again very soon. Then I'm on the road for a long time... Houfflaize, FortWilliams, then Sweden for a week or two, then Schladming.. so its going to be a fun few months ahead.

All the best,
Kashi

Sorry for the late update, but I've been busy these last few days. Last weekend I actually took off racing for a change! But the weekend before I did two races, so I guess that makes up for it? It was a brutal weekend, with a very muddy and long Liquigas cup on Saturday, then a 9 lap Swiss Cup on Sunday. You could say I was tired after all that!

30 April 04 : Liquigas Cup, Branzia
Result: 5th

The first real mudbath of the year, and a fun one at that! We were forced to run probably 1/3rd of the race, but the descents were awesome fun. I was feeling good and managed to get away with the lead group on the first lap. But I was hampered by some bad chain suck, which just got worse and worse through out the race. Julian Absalon took control and ended up winning easily ahead of Roul and Zoli. I was finally dropped from the leading three, and was caught by Cedric Ravenal. Finally I finished 5th.

01 May 04 : Swiss Cup, Granichen
Result: 5th

It was strange, because this is the event where it always rains.. but we had a perfectly dry course. In fact, they tell me its the first time the race was dry for 8 years!!! It made for a really fast lap, but the UCI technical delicate got a bit carried away when deciding for 9 laps! I think that's the most I have ever done, and Swiss Cups are meant to be short by nature!!! Well, finally the winning time was just over 1.50hr, so it was not too far off. My legs were pretty toasted from the running race the day before, but I still managed to hang with the lead group for the first 4 laps. Finally the pace was too intense, and I decided to make my own speed, finally finishing 5th.