The results will tell you the exact opposite, but this was one of the best cyclocross races I’ve ever had. I felt so strong today. I was staged dead last, and at the whistle, I had a great start, found seams, and made up 20+ spots right away. We hit the first section of dirt a few hundred feet from the start, which I had not pre-rode, and brakes were locking up, riders were going down as 125 of us sandwich through the first lefthand turn. I can’t see anything in front of me except for a sea of riders, my front wheel cuts, and over the bars I go. I hit the deck, look up and cover my head, and the entire field is gone. Back up, I remount and spin – spin spin spin. My chain is off. It takes me a few moments to get it back on, and now I’m fucking determined. All I can think of is the race at Kalmthout I just watched two nights ago. I motor off and spend the rest of the race somehow hunting down and overtaking people. I can’t even believe that is possible. I was a maniac, powering out of everything. I earned everything I got today, and I know I got a few. I didn’t see anyone for a hell of a long time and thought I was DFL for sure. Had I not crashed, this would have been a very different race. So that’s what tomorrow is for.
chasing 1:20 