A fight, my knee and some racing

Well, as you all know I wrote my last blog at little earlier than usual due to me pulling out of Saturday's race and thus not competing on the Sunday. Unfortunately I had jumped the gun a bit early for not only did George grab another third, but also I missed out on telling you about the fight between two old blokes, one a marshal, another a parent. It was quite funny really, but both pugilists did draw blood and hit the deck so if ever the stereotype that the French don't fight was destroyed then this was the act that did so. It did look a bit like the below clip though:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CobZuaPMQHw

I saw the osteopath on Tuesday, who did a great job of pulling me about, he confirmed that it was water retention on the knee and that I gradually had to build my training and racing so I missed Saturday's race and rode for an hour gently on Thursday and for an hour and 30mins on Saturday, not wanting to push it. Sadly though I couldn't do the 1/2/3 stage race I had initially been entered for, very disappointing, nonetheless there was a good race on Sunday, today, La Route de Megalithes, a 2/3/Junior race with a fantastic sounding name.

I pleased to say my knee dealt with the race admirably, especially as I asked so much of it with a very attacking display, sadly I could only manage 13th, I was certainly capable of a top 10, but just positioned myself slightly incorrectly in the final 800m. Nevermind and I still performed well for my first race back from the little lay off. The race was quite short only 106km and with very little wind and a relatively flat circuit, or the big 60km first loop was at least, by Breton standards and a small field of about 100 it failed to break-up until the finishing circuits which consisted of going down the hill, round the bottom and up the hill to to the top of town by the church. 8 laps of this 5km (approx.) was cycled and it smashed the peloton into pieces continually, but a small group of about 25 still contested the finish. It was a very exciting, attacking race and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I thought today was scorching, however I am going to do a stage race in Provence in mid-June and I fear I might just melt there.

Hamish did a good performance today too, finishing just behind.

Me at the race on the new machine

Also congratulations to the English boys that competed in La Catonale, particularly Nick and Harry from my British team, Aprire Bicycles who seemed to put in some solid performances in that race today, I hope they loved the continental experience as much as I am. I have also got my new bike sorted out courtsey of Aprire Bicycles, I'm now riding the 2013 Aprire Celeste, a great bike judging by today's ride and hopefully I'll be winning on it soon enough.

Now I'm just going to relax with the cat until Wednesday or Marie returns from Paris, which ever one comes first, as that is when I will next be racing.

I wish everyone well, bonne courage.