Oli is racing
Hello
The rehab from my injury I sustained 6 months ago has gone great and far better than I or any of the medical experts envisaged.
So well in fact that I was able to head of to Cyprus to take part in the second round of the Sunshine cup in Cyprus, a 3 day stage race which is registered as an HC stage race by the UCI, so the biggest races after the World Cup and world Champs.
It was definitely in at the deep end, but the only way to find out where I was really at and what I need to do to get back to the top of my game is to ride against top guys on tough courses. With the World Cup starting in only 3 weeks the best guys were there with the World Champ Kulhavy and 25 other riders in the world top 60. (im hanging in there with 60th in the world rankings)
It was great to be pinning a number on again and the 3 days were tough, especially having had 6 months off racing. But I was riding confidently, not thinking about my injury, mixing it up and I got better each day finishing the final XC day in 35th to take 37th overall and even gain 5 world ranking points for my efforts.
Whilst i was a bit slower than previous years at this event and would normally be disapointed with this result, but after what has happened during the last 6 months the result is amazing and a massive step forward in my mission to get back into the world top 10 and qualify for the Olympics.
This year the opening world cup race takes place on March 18th in South Africa, a month earlier than previous years. I was hoping to be on the start line in South Africa but have taken the descision to miss the event and use the time/energy to train hard for the first National series race (March 25th) and second World Cup (April 15th).
There are a few photos attached from the Cyprus trip.
Also my forth rehab video that i have made with mylifept.com is up and running and been shown on bikeradar.com and cyclingnews.com
Its on you tube for you to link too if you wish at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YduDGKBoZS4
Thanks for the support
Oli
