On June 12th, was the first junior national for me in 2021, the Junior Tour of Yorkshire organized by Giles Pidcock and Co. This one felt like a special one as it was the first national for 14 months and for some lads, their first race in over 2 years.
I felt like I had ideal prep going into the race except acold a week before but that set me back a little more mentally rather than physically. I travelled down to Harrogate on the friday tocheck out the roadsthat were used in the 2019 World Championaships and they were mega andreally cool and gave you a little buzz whilst you were riding them. I like to do between 60-90 minutes on my preraceride to open the body up after travel, after that it was pasta and feet up whilst watching the euros.
Stage1 was a 4 mile rolling road bike TT, I planned to pace it to power to try and not blow up after thefirst mile, I did a good warm up of 30 minutes getting the body and mind ready and off I went, with these events you never know how your going but I could see my 30 second man so that gave me some confidence and he actually ended up coming 23rd so I was on for a better day that I thought. In the End that gave me 3rd on the stage and on GC, I was very happy with that being my first national podium and only 5 secondsdown on the winner.
Stage 2 was only 3 hours after so recovery was the main component to worry about but oncewe got out their on the 100KM stage, the heat was amajor factor 20+ degrees with not much shelter. I was active in the first 30/40 minutes but no one wanted to let anything get away. My team mate Zac Walker was moving up and I let his wheel go and Away he went and went to take 2nd on the stage and I camein 13th but unfortunately cramped so a little disaspointed but still 3rd on Gc so was content.
Stage 3 was a lumpy 95km stage, you could see from the off Lads were cagey but others wanted to save thier legs after feeling the fatigue, I tried again for the first hour but nothing got away afer I realized I was too closely marked and it was gonna end up in a bunch sprint I decided to go for the KOM jersey, I thought I had it but was trying to do mathsin my head whilst going Full gas. The race ended up in a bunch sprint was a little bit sketchy but I came in 17th so was happy.
Overall,from the weekend I was happy to have come 3rd overall and won the KOM jersey as it was my first national podium in a oneday and a stage race, hopefully I cancarry my form onto Cicle Classic and Otley.
Big thanks to pedal potential for their support especially being from an island where travelis a major factor so it is very much appriceated