Season memories – Chapter III

Coming back to Finland and having practically only road miles in my legs and starting the serious study on my dissertation, I simply couldn't prioritize the track champs at all. Admittedly, I had not been in time trial position for ages either. So I did what I could, and rode. Anyway, the weekend was highlighted with a solid team pursuit performance with the guys. Sincere, but late, thanks to Hiski, Janne and Juhana. Well good team! We did a good ride and won the event.

TP start.

Then it was just a matter of slotting in some training whenever I was not studying. In the mean time, I managed a weekend off everything normal at Levi. There I was with my road bike and friends from my skiing times. One seriously good weekend! We rode a bit of hills on the first day and then chunked in a solid 140+km ride from Levi, to Pallas, to Ylläs and back. After that, it was all back to studying – with some exceptions as in races.

Thursday next week, I did the lengthiest effort so far covering 260km and averaging 35kph. It perhaps wasn't the optimal prep for the 10k time trial and road race in Lieto on the weekend, but there a purpose for it, I promise. In Lieto, I enjoyed a solid time with a sub par performance, which I expected after Thursdays effort. However, a solid time was a reason for happiness as it signalled, that the aerotesting and position tweaks were working and effective.

Warm-up close-up.

On Sunday, I took a sort Devil may care attitude for the race as the course was flat and a sprint finish was expected in the cards. That was because of my sincere lack of sprinting ability just as well. The flat course was challenged on the day by wind though. I jumped to the first break with one other rider. We ever got to 70s at max and were eventually brought back at early stages. I sat on the back and tried to get some energy in. On the feed zone, at the mid point, a large breakaway went and I thoght the race was over. For my surprise (I'd guess not only my), the break never went far and was brought back 20k from the finish. Moments earlier I had decided to give a full go if and once the break is back. It worked and I was away, but struggling, with one guy. We managed to stay away, my companion was signigicantly stronger and I was second - and still struggling. During the race I had problems with nutrient ingestion (read: I tried, but couldn't eat) and hence, the struggle. Such a good weekend overall.

Starting in Lieto.

There was once race left then. A 20k time trial in Säkylä on such a beautiful course right next to lake scenery. I was going well and in control. I had a plan in working. Simple, but effective: Negative splits. In essence, I was spreading my effort by starting smoothly and planning to dig deep after turn. The heavy rain came at 3km in to the race and I punctured (or rather my tub exploded) at 9,8 or so in quite a speed and staying up and control wasn't quite there for a moment. Again, in retrospect, I figured, that I should have skipped any race held in Säkylä. Once my race was ended due a thunderstorm, once I just had the most awful day and now a puncture. Never going there again, just kidding! The season started with a puncture and ended with one – loop closed.

Settling to race pace in Säkylä.

End of Chapter III and the competitive season 2014.