Last Practice Race Before Southern XC- Gorrick Spring Rd 2

 i had my last practice race before the first Southern XC Series in two weeks time, Gorrick Spring Series Rd 2. 

I started the race feeling quite sleepy and not fully rested, i am really looking forward to warmer weather and more daylight.

I held back on my initial effort so my first lap time was a bit slower than I could have achieved, I could see Jody pushing away at the start and felt it would take too much to hold with the leading group. On each lap I managed to push away from my nearest contender (Joe Griffiths)  but was loosing time in the technical sections due to gradual loss of air from my front tyre. I was also struggling to feed as I was having to collect bottles from the ground.

By the fifth lap (which i thought was my 4th) I was starting to feel my legs (and arms) on the climbs. On the 6th lap no-one else was in sight so I stopped and pumped my front tyre up, which helped vastly.

I was 6th 5:46mins behind Jody Crawforth. 

I still need to sort a few things out, make sure i fit my tyres a couple of days in advance, eat more gels during the race, count my laps correctly and ride faster...in the technical sections.