Med-Epic Race Results.
After what felt like a productive, yet long off season it was time to pack up the car and travel to the first race of the season; the Med Epic.
This race has captured our imagination since we first learnt about it in 2021, we loved the idea of racing across some fo the most demanding terrain in Spain; rock drops, steep climbs, dry river beds and loose descents. As an added bonus this race as some of the best live coverage in XCM racing; with helicopters and E-bikes helping to stream every second, directly to social media!
It’s fair to say that in the 6 years this race has been running it has only grown in popularity, and being a UCI Hors Category meant there were a maximum number of UCI points up for grabs. As a result it attracts some of the best Mountain Bikers in the world!
This year was no exception, with well over 30 nationalities taking part, in the Elite Female race alone 20 countries were represented!!
It’s fair to say that given the fact neither of us had raced since August 2022 we felt a little rusty with “race routines”, and I found myself going over timings again and again. The first stage was an ITT, basically a 19km climb so it was important to time the warm up, race fuelling and rider “check in” perfectly. James was off 90 minutes before me, so he had an early alarm, getting up just before 6am to make sure he had eaten his last meal 3 hours before he set off. I had the luxury of starting slightly later, however I’m not sure I was thankful of the extra nerves which had built throughout the morning.
We had contrasting strategies for this race; I wanted to go out full gas, and ride it with no power or HR data, just me and the track. James however, who is very capable of the former wanted to deliver a more measured performance, which he built into over the course of the hours effort. We both succeeded in delivering a performance we were proud of, no accidents, and opened up the legs. I finished 18th 2.5min off a top 10, which was better than I had hoped for, and more importantly I felt like I hit my objective of emptying the tank.
Day 2 was an 80km stage with 2200m of climbing, it was billed the “technical” stage which was music to my ears, as the recent rain had made the rocks and roots slippery, although I don’t love the wet conditions, I find that I always seem to fare better on these days so was happy with what Mother Nature had delivered. Unfortunately I started to have dropper post issues on the first descent, which quickly turned into a completely broken dropper whereby it was sinking about 2cm under my weight. This was incredibly frustrating, not only did I not have a dropper for the descents, I had no power on the flats or climbs!!
Cue a very valuable lesson for me; it’s ok to withdraw from an event with a mechanical. For some reason I have it hard wired into my brain that under no circumstances should I pull out. Whilst this has stood me in good stead in the past, but for this situation it was a silly mistake. One which could have cost a long-lasting injury, and more time off the bike. As it was I got away with it- just. I finished after 5 hours, with a niggle in one of my knees and hip which lasted a couple of days! That however was the end of my race! Time to switch mindset and become James’s supporter.
James had a solid stage 2, finishing 22nd in his age group, moving up on GC, and feeling like he was growing in confidence on the descents, and with his new level of fitness. Day 3 was the longest stage, 104km and again 2200m of climbing. It was here James flicked a switch, and decided that he hadn’t quite turned himself inside out enough on day 1 and 2. Right from the gun, he committed like only James knows how to do; that’ll be a 5 minute power PR, thank you!! I was following along on the TV, and loving the fact that he was holding a top 20 in the M40 category. Despite a “recovery 30km” in the middle of the stage, James rallied for the final 20km and finished in 18th!! Top 20!!!
This is where I moved into text book nutrition protocol, and made sure James followed the DEEKA stage race refilling plan, treating it like a military operation. Joking aside, it was totally eye-opening for us both at how much easier the stage racing process is when you have a dedicated support crew (person), when both of us are giving it everything each day it’s easy to miss small details, which actually turn out to be make or break moves.
Stage 4 was a “short” 53km with 1600m of climbing, it was more XCO style, which played into James’s hands. The on/ off surges suit his physiology and personality well, and with the muscles fully topped up with glycogen he was ready to fight again. Following the success he had on stage 3, it was usual protocol, another 5min power PR, followed by an incredible strategic ride, which had him move up from group 3, to 2. I managed to drive out to part of the course, and arrived just as he passed to shout “top 10, you’ve got this”, and he did, 10th across the line! Amazing!
James finished in 16th GC M40! I can tell when James gives it everything as the tears start flowing, and no words come out- this was one of those occasions.
So a race of 2 halves, success for James, disappointment for myself. Writing this now, I have a new dropper post on the bike, and am back in training with more motivation than before. Next race is 19th March!
Sophie