This is my home race so I was desperate to get a good result. After my bad race the week before in Aberystwyth, I needed a good result to increase my chances of finishing in the top 3, but my aim was seriously affected by an illness. During the week I only rode once, and the day before we were wondering whether or not I was going to be able to start the race at all. In the end I persuaded my parents to let me race, but I was doubtful of my chances to get a podium.
I started on the front row, and had a reasonable start, as I made the front selection of 3. My illness didn’t seem to be affecting me as we were pulling away from everybody else in the race. One of the riders was in the U14, so that meant I was in 2nd in the U16. he could Bunny-Hop the hurdles, and the other rider went over them so fast I was almost scared about whether or not I’d make it over the hurdles. As the other two were quicker than me over the hurdles, each lap I’d have to chase back on. On the final lap I couldn’t catch them and overtake them in time, so I finished 3rd overall and 2nd U16. This was my best finish all season as I was only about 1 second away from the win.