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Letters Home: Racing Abroad BLOG - Seasons End
by Josh Cunningham
September opened its autumnal doors a few days ago, and through it could clearly be seen the silhouette of the end of the season.
Vollgas
As I’ve said before in my blogs, previous years have often seen August begin to draw a natural end of the season for me, but I’ve managed to see 2012 through to a more reasonable date with my racing legs still in tact. What’s more, I’ve actually ridden into some of the best form I’ve had all year, dragging my tally of top tens to 11 and notching a long awaited podium.
The last time we tuned in, I was regaining confidence and condition again after the doldrums of July. The first half of August continued on relatively event free, with nothing more than unfruitful attacks and bunch finishes to be added to my palmares; despite an ever increasing capability from the leg department, I was growing frustrated again. Then luckily in mid August I managed to find my racing head again, as well as the winning break in a couple of races on the trot, and despite not capitalising on my best chance of a win this year in Dendermonde, I reinstated some self belief and went on to get two top tens in one week, one of which my housemate Conor won!
Taking It Easy
Another small lull of a week or so followed, and with it the turn of the month, the departure of a few housemates back to their respective corners of the globe, and the realisation that it would soon be home time for me too. This realisation actually sparked a late surge of results, and as I sit writing this I can look back on last week having gained 3 top tens, including a podium. I’m still without the win I was hoping for, and now know I’m capable of, but 10 top tens and a podium were my goals for the year, and I’ve managed to conquer those at least.
Now, back to that shadow in the doorway. With my recent string of results I will have hopefully put myself in line for some good opportunities next year, and it is confirmation of 2013 plans that I now await before booking my final ferry back across the channel.
St Pauwels
This house has seen 8 or 9 riders pass through it’s doors throughout the course of the season, and it is only myself and Conor left of the originals. Conor is currently in Holland doing the Worlds TT, so I’ve got company from Matt Pilkington, who arrived last week for a month of racing in preparation for the National Hill Climb Championships in October, God rest his soul. Apparently the weather is actually nicer in Belgium than it is in Blackpool though, so at least he’s got something to cheer about.
Wolvertem
In the next week I’ve got a final few races to squeeze out, as well as the less than welcome, but obligatory end of season power test with which to base my winter training. I am hoping to be able to get over to Limburg to watch the Worlds Road Race next Sunday if I can, and if I have a productive week prior to that then perhaps come home after. It would be rude not to throw back a couple of finest Belgian beers before then, too. It is the end of the season, after all.
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