There are many things I could write about from today. How this is probably the booziest of all cyclocross races. How the layout of the courses makes you cross the track 6-7 times if you start far enough. Or how far the press parking was from the press room. Or how great it was to see Wout back in action. But I’m not going to. Because I want to talk about the Helen 100 junior women’s race.
Last year, in its first year, I couldn’t be here, so this was my first-ever, non-Worlds junior women’s race and it was bloody great. There were 70, fiercely competitive young woman, who were finally allowed to race against their peers, instead of elite racers almost twice their age. As I was watching the race, I was wondering how many great riders might have the sport lost, because they may have been late bloomers and at some point got fed up with racing against grown women. I was wondering how important it is for them to learn how to lead a race or race for the win, instead of just trying to avoid being lapped. And they all loved it. After the finish, they were all buzzing, exchanging stories, sharing lessons, etc. Just enjoying that for once, they were riding a real race. So, Helen Wyman and Golazo, thank you very much for making this and the other Helen 100 races happen. Kudos.
