Finally the weekend has come. I have had my eyes set on this race for the whole season and to win the national road championships was my main goal for this year. I have been in Spain for the last 3 weeks on a holiday and also a training camp so I am in great form coming into the race.

First off on Saturday morning we have the TT. A hard 10km course with rolling hills proved that the strongest rider on the day would win. I had a solid ride in the TT and finished 3rd. I was hoping for a lot more but I left everything out there on the road and this was the best ride that I could have achieved.

Now I had some time to eat and rest, recovery is key on these split stage days. Now the afternoon road race was approaching. I was nervous and wanted to redeem myself after a disappointing ride in the TT. The race started and there was a few attacks but they were all neutralised by the group. I was doing my fsir share of work within the group but others sat in and this caused a slower race sadly. On the last lap I attacked and went all in over the final climb about 3km form the finish. I created a small gap but once we got over the top of the hill the group brought me back. This late attack then burned my matches for the sprint and I had to settle for 4th after cramping up in the race to the line. Again I was not pleased with the result but I played my cards right and left everything out there.

The Crit was on Sunday morning. I had a plan and was prepared and ready to execute it. I attacked multiple times during the early stages of the race but couldn’t get any gaps created and it came down to a sprint finish after a tactical slow race. It was an uphill sprint and I finished 2nd just getting piped on the line for the win.

Overall I was in good form this weekend and the legs felt pretty solid but luck wasn’t on my side and didn’t achieve the results I aimed for but medals at a national level is still a good achievement.

I would like to thank all of the sponsors and supports for the help throughout the season, it is greatly appreciated. Now I will round off the season next week with the Ulster team a the North West Youth Tour in Lancaster, England.