Gralloch - Almost that dream win

This past weekend the world of gravel turned their eyes to the little town of Gatehouse of Fleet where 2392 riders from 35 countries would race the Gralloch which is part of the UCI Gravel Series.

After a long journey up to Scotland on Friday I joined my Ribble Outlier teammates for another weekend of fun. After racing in Italy, the US and then Spain so far this year it was nice to be on home ground here in the UK, this will be just one of two or three races we’ll do at home this year.

The team had booked us into a beautiful house right out in the countryside near Wigtown surrounded by farm animals and stunning views, it was the perfect place to relax and focus. There wasn’t much time left that evening after making bottles and getting kit ready but there was time for all the staff and athletes to sit down for a big carb heavy meal where we could catch up, discuss the following day’s race and have a few laughs.

After years of racing as a privateer and traveling solo to so many events it’s amazing to now have the support of a dedicated team staff at each race. Having a mechanic dial in the bike, a team manager planning out each trip, and someone to hand up bottles in feed zones makes a huge difference, not just physically, but mentally. It removes the stress allowing me to focus fully on racing and gives a huge motivation boost knowing there's a team behind me. It adds that extra sense of purpose and belief, that you're not just racing for yourself anymore, but for everyone supporting you.

With preparations complete the sun rose Saturday morning and it was another blue sky day with the sun shining strong. It was time to warm up, line up and then race. So much work goes into just getting to the start line, now it’s up to the athletes to give it their all.

Off the marks, out of the arena, onto the tarmac stretch out of the town, I'm getting shuffled further and further back through the peloton, but just before the left turn onto the first gravel section and first climb I swoop around the outside of those in front and slot into the top 5. The start climb here often defines the race, the 6.5km gravel climb leads the race to the highest point of the course at Fuffock Hill. You need to be in the lead group or you aren't catching the fast train to the finish.

We crest the first steep ramp of the climb and I'm actually feeling surprisingly good, others are on the limit and I'm working hard but have more to give. We hit the next part of the hill and the sensations remain good, it's a stark difference to how I've felt at races earlier in the year where I've been going way over my limit to stay in contact with the lead group which includes top riders like Nathan Haas, Chad Haga, Matthew Holmes, Toby Perry, and Cameron Mason.

Next climb and Petr Vakoc is in attack mode, he kicks down the gears and forces the power through the pedals, I'm the only one who can go with him and suddenly we are away in the lead of a UCI gravel race. This was unexpected and certainly unplanned. We start building a gap, working well together taking turns, keeping the effort smooth and consistent, threshold on the climbs but I'm recovering quite easily when sitting on the wheel. Petr sounds like he's breathing hard on the climbs, I'm still feeling really comfortable.

Having your teammates in the race is a huge motivation, there’s been a few times already this season where our team riders have been able to work together. Just being in the same group as a teammate gives you extra energy, when you're digging deep and see a teammate doing the same. For this race Jenson and I had a discussion Friday evening that I would try my best to help him in the race, this route suited his strengths far better. I almost felt bad riding up the road and into the distance after what we’d discussed but Jenson will get his opportunities to win these races soon and there’s a chance the race will still come back together.

I nearly come unstuck on one of the descents, smacking a huge rock but luckily my Schwalbe G One Pro RX 45 survives the hit. It was a reminder to stay focused. We plough on though and the time gaps from the lead motorbike keep growing, 30 seconds, 40, 60, 90. This is unbelievable! This could be the race winning move. Originally I expected another small group to come over to us but it looks like we could stay away for the whole 111 kilometres. 

We reach the midpoint of the race, Slaughter Hill, we ride along a long tarmac stretch on top of the hills and can see no chasers behind. The TV quad bike still has me worried each time it catches us. We keep working together until about 80 kilometres in and are still building the lead. Then Petr's tyre starts going flat. Suddenly from the race being completely under control I'm now out front on my own leading a UCI gravel race. I've gone from thinking about a top 2 result to thinking I could win. Focus! Stop thinking about results.

I continue at the same effort but one person on his own is a lot slower than two people together. The momentum definitely drops and more energy is being burnt. I keep chugging the Precision Fuel & Hydration energy drink and gels. I'm out alone for maybe 15 minutes before Petr recatches me, he's clearly worked hard to get back but looks worryingly strong.

Soon after two others catch us with 20 kilometres to go. With Petr’s puncture our speed, momentum and lead disappeared in a flash. The odds of winning just got far worse and there’s only two downhills and one climb remaining, not a lot of time to split us apart, this is going to come down to a four way sprint and I'm racing 3 ex pro tour road cyclists, don't bet your money on me. 

Down the last gravel descent, up the climb, a few half attacks from the others but nothing sticks. Onto the tarmac and down towards town. The games really begin, no one wants to lead, no one wants to be at the back, we almost come to a standstill. We enter the high street and the speed ramps up again sprinting for the next turn, fighting to be in a good position, I get elbow bumped back to fourth. My quads are cramping and I cannot move back up the positions before we turn into the arena. The three ahead go wide as we hit the gravel into the finish straight, I'm back on terms, we all go for the long sprint. I go for the right hand side but get squeezed up against the barriers as the race route curves around the right. I have to stop pedalling and the other three riders move ahead as the line approaches. 

An hour earlier it looked like two of us would ride together out front from start to finish, then I was out front alone, then a podium was still likely, then I finished fourth in the sprint for the win. The dream of winning a UCI race that didn't become a reality.

A podium would have been amazing. Fourth place was not the dream, the result stings. I’m still proud of the effort and I’m coming round to realising fourth is a great result. Grateful for the chance to be racing at the front of such a big UCI gravel event in Ribble Outliers colours. The fire’s well and truly lit for the next one.

My teammate Jenson finished 8th, Sophie finished on the podium in 3rd, those results help make me feel a whole load better.  There are more races coming, more opportunities, there are many more podium and wins coming the way of our team, we’ll be the ones drinking champagne soon.