a terminé la saison

My season in France has come to an end with my last race done on Monday. It has been a while since I have done a post on here as I am getting a bit slack with it being the end of season. It would be fair to say I have been going out a lot to make up for a quiet year etc.

Well anyway quick update on my last races.

From the 26th to the 28th of August I had a small tour - Tour du Pilat. It was a hard race and I ended up 20th or something in GC.
After that race my training basically went downhill. I probably have spent more time out in Lyon town than on my bike but its all good fun.

The following weekend I had 2 races. The first was a hilly race Prix de Coligny. I actually felt really good in this and found my self in every break away only to be caught in the last lap and finish in the bunch. It was ok however as a team mate got 2nd.....team happy. The day after I had a criterium in Annecy and was pouring with rain. Not so good for the motivation and I was not keen on crashing on the tight circuit so I ended up pulling out half way. This was also another good race for the team though as we won.

So now the weekend just been. I had a race Sunday and Monday, with my last race of the season on Monday. Sunday's race was another criterium and I wasnt feeling the greatest so I just went all out from the start and got away by myself to win the first money prime....40 euro in the bag. After that I just cruised around in the bunch.
Finally, the last race in France for this year I should have been motivated but I wasnt and I ended up pulling out. Not the best finish but got to drink some beer while I watched the rest of the race.

In the bunch at a crit (Martins in the white Latvian national champs kit)

Crit again

Now that the season is over for me Im just chilling out waiting to leave here on the 20th of September. I am going catch the train to Paris to meet Brad Tilby and Matt Kurtovich for 3 days and we will do some touristy stuff. Then after that I am going with Brad to Amsterdam for the weekend....... And then I am spending a week with some family in Holland. I catch a flight out of Amsterdam on the 1st of October back to New Zealand just in time for my 3rd summer! First stop will be the Titirangi bakery for a Caramel slice......also amped for the RWC

I have really enjoyed this year and feel I have really progressed as a rider. The team was the perfect choice for me and exposed me to some of the biggest races in France below the pro races. Now that I have seen and done all of these big races once, I want to come back next year and compete for some top results. I feel I was there or there abouts, its now about closing the deal. I am stoked that I got two wins this year and its given me a lot more confidence.

Also for the 2012 season Im stoked that I will be returning to France to race with Team Vulco again!