Making a big mark in France

The first event we had was Cahors Urban Trial down in France and as it was my first visit to this event I wasn't sure exactly what to expect. 

 

I had seen plenty of videos and photos and heard a lot but it wasn't until I got there that I realised just how special the event was. 

 

There were sections scattered around the town in little squares, on the path on the side of the road – very different to the usual trial. 

 

It was run under open free rules which I had never ridden under before so it took me a little while to adjust and get my head round it all. 

 

I was pleased with my riding and I finished second,  which I was very happy with. The strange thing was I ended on 610 marks! I can safely say that is the most I have ever lost.

 

After returning home for a day I set off in the Team Roundhouse truck with team-members Chris Kilhams and Brad Bullock on a trip down to the south of France to Isola 2000 for the last round of the world championship this year. 

 

This place is about 2,000m above sea level so the first task was to get the bike set up and running correctly. But with some help from the Beta mechanics this was straight-forward. 

 

The first day started off quite well, the sections were damp and quite slippery so it was tough to get going. I didn't feel I was riding badly – just slightly offline in a few places and unfortunately, I paid the price. 

 

The second day I set off confident and wanted to finish the season well, and all round the first lap I was in third but a couple of problems put me down some places over the next two laps.  

 

We then stayed in the truck down in the south of France for a day practising and playing on the bikes preparing for the Trial des Nations.

 

The sections for this event looked pretty good, with some big steps and climbs and then the day before the trial there was heavy rainfall making things even more interesting. 

 

The team rode well and the support between riders and minders gave it an amazing feel. The only unfortunate part of the day was a crash about halfway round the first lap where I managed to find neutral on top a a big step and went off backwards quicker than I went up. 

 

I landed very awkwardly on my ankle and twisted it badly, I managed to pick myself up and carry on in a lot of pain but fortunately I managed to keep getting the cleans. 

 

The crash resulted in torn ligaments and quite extensive damage in my ankle, though, so I had to miss the final British championship round which was very disappointing.

 

Luckily with a lot of gym work and physio I was just about able to ride the following week at the amazing Red Bull Manchester City Trial in Exchange Square, in the centre of Manchester, with a head-to-head race format and a tough course over trams, 7ft high football  and a jumble of railway sleepers amongst plenty of other challenges. 

 

There were four shows and massive crowds so a big thanks to Red Bull and everyone who made the event possible.

 

The next few weeks are quiet but there will be plenty of training and pushing to get my ankle better for the winter training program.