A bit of a late addition to my race plans for the year but, having won a World Series qualifying round in Wales, I found out that this would get me gridded at the front in the priority pen and when I won the National Champs the following week I pitched the idea to brother Simon and persuaded him to come along for another road trip and be my support crew in the pits. 

We set off super early on the Thursday morning, it was a smooth journey all the way to the start town of Beek where I signed on and got my races numbers, we then set out on pre race spin to recce the first 20km, the course was fast, with plenty of 90 degree turns that would require a punchy effort to sprint out and although not much elevation, the final climb at 16km to go was going to be where the race would be decided.

Riding to the start as my warm up, I headed straight to the Pens and this was one of the highlights of the day for me. The start was fast and it was a real fight into the first few sectors of gravel, this thinned the race down nicely and I could relax a little. 

A dropped chain on a fast descent meant a full gas effort to regain the front, as the field settled down to around 45-50 riders, the pace was increased and then the peloton blew apart on the final climb with two riders going clear. I was in a chase group of 6 riders, so I took my chance and bridged across with 5km to go, it was then a case of driving it to ensure we stayed clear. In hindsight, I probably did a bit too much, was too eager to get on the podium, I paid the price when the attacks started in the final Km...

There was a buzz racing to the line through crowds was and I was super happy to take the bronze medal. 

The podium ceremony was the professional experience, a warm changing marquee where you could get cleaned up and have some recovery snacks, followed by the presentation. 

Finishing the day with an amazing ride home on bike paths through the centre of Maastricht and a chance to take it all in, what had been genuinely been one of the best reading experiences go my life and feel incredibly lucky to share it all with my brother (and a massive thank you for his help and support)