National TLI Jersey

You may remember my post about the National Open Cyclo Cross Race at Prestatyn, organised by TLI Cymru, where I was entered as and under 18 in the race, but the organisers changed their minds and put me in with the seniors?

http://team.inov-8.eu/2010/10/national-open-cyclo-cross-championship.html

Well, while at Race 5 of the Revolution Bikes at Glynllifon near Caernarfon last week, the organisers presented me with the TLI National Jersey and gold medal for my U18 junior win at the TLI championships! It was a great suprise, and something that I was not expecting!

Owain being presented by Barry Davies

More pictures can be seen on the SportpicturesCymru web site.

National Open Cyclo Cross Championship

Day two of the weekend, saw me compete in my second race of the weekend. This time it was the National Open Cyclo Cross Race at Prestatyn, organised by TLI Cymru. The weather was kinder today, as riders from the UK travelled to North Wales to compete for the cyclo cross jersey.

I was competing in the 16-19 age category, but riding the full course with the seniors. My legs were tired after the Cross Country the previous day.

My usual bad starts at these races, was today followed by a better one, as a stampede of riders tried to make it to the very tight corner in first place, in order to avoid any possible crashes. I came out unscathed, and dug in for the full hour of racing.

The course was very technical, but relatively dry following the bad weather of the previous day.

With about 2 laps to go, I couldn't feel my legs, but I clung on to finishing, in what I thought was a category win and the TLI white jersey.

At the presentation, there was no sign of my win, but 3rd in the senior men category, which the organisers had kindly decided to put me in. A disappointing end, to an otherwise good weekend of racing.

More pictures can be seen on the SportpicturesCymru web site.