Life on the Track

This winter has been somewhat different for me. Instead of the regular base miles on the winter bike i have been racing on the track and competing at world cup events. I came through the talent transfer programme run by cycling Ireland in early 2008. This involved testing and then several camps at the track in Aigle, Switzerland from which a womens squad was formed. With the Olympics now having more events for women, the main emphasis is on qualifying a team pursuit for London 2012.

My journey this year started in September after the time trail championships. With the absence of a velodrome in Ireland, the squad trains at the UCI headquarters in Aigle. I attended two camps with the mens squad in September where I trained towards competing in some of the bunch races, ie scratch and points. Points racing involves sprinting for points every 10 laps in an 80 lap race, the first 4 people gaining points. If a rider laps the field they gain 20 points.

My debut race was at the Manchester world cup. The first event for me was the scratch race. I was very nervous about being on a track with 23 other riders and no brakes! I remember at one stage thinking I was going to get pushed into the crowd at one stage as all the riders moved further and further up the track and a lot of screaming started in the group not to mention pushing. I just missed out on the final finishing 13^th with the first 12 going through. Although disappointed, it was good to get the first race over and gain some confidence.

Next day was the points race. I was really determined to qualify. I had absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. After the first sprint I attacked off the top of the banking and got a gap, a new Zealand girl joined me and we time trialled round the track taking the next sprint and eventually gaining a lap on the field. I crossed the line not even realising I had won the race!

What I remember from the final is a lot of pain but an unbelievable atmosphere, the British crowd were roaring all the time, it was electric. I finished 14^th in the final out of 24.

The next world cup for us was in Cali Columbia. It was a very different experience to Manchester but enjoyable to and I am learning with every race I do. The 80lap consisted of constant attacks, no one was getting away. I was a little disappointed to finish 14^th again, however with the world champion winning the race it is definitely valuable experience.

Currently we are out in Aigle on a ten day training camp. Out next focus will be the team pursuit in Poland in March hopefully with a couple of trips over to Manchester before that.

Next year will be more focussed towards qualifying for the world championships and then ultimately the Olympics in2012. It has been a sharp learning curve over the last 12 months and at times very frustrating. The team event is immensely technical and even harder for the Irish with no track in the country but we are improving all the time. The bunch racing too will continue next year and I will learn with every race I do. I hope to get over to Manchester or Newport next year to race in the winter leagues. I have never enjoyed my cycling so much, it has been a totally new challenge but one which I am loving!

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