World Cup # 10 Nommay, France

The whole crew packed up and drove the 6 hrs to Nommay France at the crack of dawn Saturday morning...ok it was 7:30 but it felt earlier because it was pitch black still. We managed 6 bikes and loads of wheels in the back of our Kangoo then 3 more bikes on the back of the station wagon plus luggage.

I thought we did a great job finding the hotel, we only went around the same round-a-bout 3 times before deciding on a direction and only missing one turn...a mere 15 minute delay!
 
We rode to the course for a quick reconnaissance before settling in for the night. The course was a combination of really thick mud, steep muddy uphills, mud-stairs (literally they used a shovel and cut into the side of a steep hill), and twisty bike path covered in fine gravel. It was kind of like riding through peanut butter followed by granola...but not as yummy. In the race I did a bike change twice a lap on some laps!
 
Ok so the race, I took up my usual start at the back and despite gunning it I was still only mid-pack when we turned left off the pavement and hit the first set of mud stairs. It was pretty chaotic but after we were on our bikes again I was able to get into a pretty good position just inside of the top 20. I managed to hang in a couple laps but eventually went out the back of the group and lost time once I was alone. I was riding pretty well, felt a little fatigued from the race on Wednesday but definitely my strongest race and best WC finishes in 26th place. Kyle was pitting for me doing an excellent job. Big thanks to our Belgian crew of the twins, Christophe and Serge and their Mom, Monique, who comes to the start line for my clothes and has been my Mom away from home, putting my jersey on after my race, including doing up my zipper...I try and do it up myself but I am too screwed! She even carries little bottles cokes in her purse!
 
The espoirs stuck it out in their race as long as they could before being pulled, and I think everyone was pretty pleased with their race on the tough circuit.  Greg suffered a crash in the first lap of his race and decided to call it a day.
 
I am pretty tired today, it was a draining course followed by a long drive. This week I am sticking close to home and resting up for Hoogerheide next weekend!