After finishing up a busy semester in school, it was time to shift the focus fully to a Summer of racing. With the first World Cups just around the corner, I headed to Utah for the four day Soldier Hollow Stage Race, and an opportunity to pick up some UCI points and fitness! I had only ever done one stage race earlier this year in Salamina, Greece and I was excited for another opportunity with a little experience under my belt. The week opened up with Stage 1 on Thursday as a roughly 20 minute Time Trial followed by Short Track Friday, the XCO Saturday and finishing with the Marathon Stage on Sunday. It was exciting to be back at a familiar venue but with a new course and new focus. I had decided on my Felt Doctrine, running Vittoria Mezcals 2.25 XC Race tires on front and rear and our Praxis C32 wheels. This was the perfect set up for me with a lot of climbing ahead and some fast flowing descents! I was stoked to start the week off with a stage win in the TT after a smooth lap on the 5 mile course. This finish put me in a good spot in the GC heading into the next three days. After making a few small mistakes in the STXC on Friday I lost the lead group and rolled in for 8th. Short Track racing is so tactical and I am constantly learning so much with every race! I think we were all ready for some longer efforts by the time Saturday rolled around with the XCO stage. After a fast start I was feeling the efforts from the last two days and I spent the rest of the day on a solo mission for 5th. By about the 3rd/6 laps my legs decided to come around and I started making up time. I finished 5th just behind the chase group. Sunday’s Marathon stage was just about how I expected it to go, with not a lot left in the tank and 40 miles + 7500 ft of climbing ahead of me, I hung on for dear life to finish 7th and secure 4th overall in the GC! It was an epic week of racing and I’m really excited with my form heading into the World Cups and with a whole new mindset. Thank you to the whole team for having a dialed set up all week and all of our sponsors who make this possible.
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AuthorSavilia Blunk, 20 | XCO MTB racer for Liv Racing Archives
March 2020
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