Road racing is my favourite of all the cycling disciplines.
Usually I race the early season races at the Hillingdon Cycle Circuit but this year it seemed to take a while to get my road form together. To be honest, apart from a win in the National Circuit series in early May, the season was not really going to plan but I started doing some hilly Crystal Palace races on a Tuesday night, which started to pay some dividends.
My big break came in the British Cycling National Championships at Hillingdon on the 25th July. I managed to cover the breaks during the race and going into the penultimate corner with about 500m to go I just went for it. I must have surprised the field as I got five lengths on them and managed to keep it together until the finish! I came away with the U14 title of National Champion, a Gold medal and The British Cycling Jersey!
No rest, and off to Assen in Holland that evening for the start of the six day road race. A prologue along the canal, racing through the forest on all the cobbles, a time trial on the Moto GP circuit and a road race with all the motor bike out riders, jury cars and the infamous broom wagon. A tough week and I finished about two thirds down the field. Great fun, and lots of socialising after the races and in the evenings!
- Emily
