Chelsea Bicycles

Sunday, January 30, 2011

1st, 2dn and 3rd, First Round National XCO Series, Valle de Bravo


 The children racetrack was short, although it had a technical section that included a steep hill with a step-up, and a steep descent with lose soil. First one to race was Michel, who is starting a new category, Infantil B. Having celebrated his eight birthday two months ago, Michel confronted racers of up to ten years old. Another difficulty was the starting formation, since it was not done with last years ranking, but arbitrarily by number and Michel ended up in the back.

Before the first turn, Michel was already in third place, and he had to negotiate the first hill and single track behind the second place. His race was three laps, and Michel made good tactical decisions. He waited for the perfect time to pass, and at the end of the second lap he surprised the second place at the end of the descent, taking the turn with great technique, and gaining ground to the single track; he went through the hill and last descent to arrive in second place and with a good margin to the third place.



Emil F. had a similar problem with the starting formation, but he was also placed by the wall in the left. At the start Emil F. was blocked by racers and a steward, and he managed to get to the single track in fifth place.

Emil F. at the right of the picture
With four laps, Emil F. starts to gain time and manages to get to the finish line in third place. 




The racetrack had very long hills that felt longer in the high altitude. The view to the lake was spectacular! Emil managed a sixth place finish in the Master 45 category.

Emil in his last lap

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Coralillo, First Race of Veracruz State Series

Emil F, Javier Rojas and Michel

After two years of being absent, the Veracruz Mountain Biking Association inaugurates the 2011 XCO State Series. This race, two weeks before our first national race, was an excellent opportunity to test form and fitness and to continue our preparation for race intensity. Unfortunately, Emil F. and Michel were the only children competing, so they raced in the adult race course, two and one laps respectively. They both received a medal for the 2010 season and this race.

Emil receives the trophy from Javier Rojas, local cycling promoter
The race track, although short, had great quality, with a little bit of everything; good climbs, single track, fast and technical descents, etc. Emil gets first place in Master 40. The performance of the team is on schedule.

We were very happy to see most of our cycling friends, including the Tejones from Puebla. In two weeks, Valle de Bravo, first National XCO  Series race.