The Superplastic Cup in Esneux, Belgium - My first Enduro race
My first race was a huge success and something I will never forget!
Why it took so long for me to take part in an Enduro race is hard to say. Maye it was last little bit of motivation to register. However, since I started working at bike-components, and I built up my Liteville 601 MK4 dream bike, it was clear that 2018 would be my first racing season!
The Liteville 601 MK4, decked out with hope parts.
Butterflies in my stomach
It was finally time to get my race on! I chose to start my season in Esneux, Belgium at the Superplastic Cup. All of my colleagues, even die-hard roadies, told me that Esneux was always a blast. So like the rest of the bc team, I started my 2018 race calendar there.
Together with 10 riders, I rode down to Esneux at the butt crack of dawn. A mixture of nerves and grogginess added even more angst to the questions that were running through my head. How hard was the course going to be? How much climbing? Am I even ready?
The entire bc crew.
Ready to race
After prepping my Liteville 601 and getting my start number, it was time to get racing! We started with all 150 riders pedalling up the first ascent, which was great for warming up my legs. When we got to the start of the first stage, it didn’t take long before I was at the line. My pulse jumped to 180, I put on my goggles and away I was!
The first stage was full of flow, which was the perfect way to get a feeling for my first race. The ground was soft with corners turning into a mud fest. The entire time, I tunnel-visioned in race mode, without noticing the crowd on the side lines.
Picking up speed.
I made it through stages 1-3, but ended up having both my wheels slip out from under me in a corner on stage 4. There was no telling if I just wasn’t pay attention, or I was too fast, but the crash was light and I made it out without any problems.
Me taking on a technical section.
The finish
After the final stage, it took me a minute to realize that I had just finished my first Enduro race. What a ride! I had a ton of fun, and I would recommend everyone to try racing out at least once. There is nothing like the feeling of competing and having fun while doing it. I’ll be back next year for sure!
