101 kms of Ponferrada (León)

Date: April 28, 2012

Time: 10:00

Distance: 101 kms 

One more year, GARVÍA BIKE – CENTRO TIR travelled to Ponferrada (León) to ride hard in the III Edition of its 101 kms race.

If the last year we finish in the first place, the aim for the 2012 edition was clear: Win and reduce the last year time.

However, it was going to be very difficult because almost everybody wanted to win us.

The last week and the last night rain awarded us with muddy paths. It was perfect to have a harder track.

The track can be simply described with two words: Pure MTB.

Mountains and more mountains to climb and go down from the beginning till the end. It was going to be very hard, even for the most trained and skilled bikers.

In the starting line, I could notice how we were more and high leveled bikers than the previous year. It was going be an interesting race.

The race started very fast, it seemed we were going to race 20 kms and not 101 kms.

After 8 kms, I rode together with other 2 bikers. The mud was terrible in several up hills and we should climb on foot.

After a few kilometers more, only 2 bikers rode alone in the head of the race.

In the mid race I needed to reduce my pace to recover some energy, however the other biker increased its own pace to get some advantage. His pace was higher than mine and I was not able to follow him. However, it remained a lot of kilometers to reduce the distance.

Unfortunately, I lost myself several times among the mountains and I lost a lot of time trying to find the right paths.

Now, the head of the race was quite far away and the race was finishing.

At the end, I could finish in the 2^nd place and very happy for my good race.

Special thanks to volunteers, supporters, Nardi Crespo, David Pacios Martínez and Alberto for being so kind.

Of course, I have to thank the encouragements of my parents during the entire race.

Finally, it was not fair to forget all my sponsors that make possible this dream.

I have only one feeling during the race, I was not riding along. All of you were riding with me and this success is yours, too.

Thank you very much for your support.

More photographs in GARVÍABIKE – CENTRO TIR gallery.

Link to the race ranking.

Ciudad Real MTB Open: Villarrubia de los Ojos

Date: April 22, 2012

Time: 9:30

Distance: 40 kms

Once Sunday again, GARVÍA BIKE – CENTRO TIR drove to Villarrubia de los Ojos to race in the Ciudad Real MTB Open.

40 kilometers and more than 1100 ascent meters are data enough to know how hard the race was.

It was going to be a great day to test the Hygia brakes.

Definitely, the only relax time was going to be on the starting line.

During the week, I was analyzing the track and I knew that it was very difficult. However, I am preparing myself for the 101 kms in Ponferrada next week and I trained hard during the days before the race.

Maybe, I was a bit tired, but my aim has not been modified at all: Win and ride hard till the end.

The race started riding fast with GARVÍA BIKE – CENTRO TIR in the first position.

The up hills were guided by me, but the first down hills was dangerous enough to drive carefully.

In the latest up hill, I felt more tired than usually and I was not able to ride close to the first classified. Fortunately, Victory Endurace Pump Gel provided me the energy enough to reduce distances.

I finished as 2^nd classified of the main ranking and as 2^nd classified of my category (Master 30).

As usually, a lot of photographs were taken by my father (manager).

Finally, despite of the hard trainings during the week, I had very good feelings during the race.

Special thanks to Fisaude that helped me to recover myself with its great products during the post-race time.

Ciudad Real MTB Open: Herencia

Date: April 15, 2012

Time: 9:00

Distance: 45 kms

GARVÍA BIKE – CENTRO TIR racing team woke-up at 5:00 a.m. to race in Herencia (Ciudad Real MTB Open).

More than 200 riders and 45 kilometers plenty of hard up hills will set the difference among the best riders.

Riding in the first positions and with very good feelings, the race was going to be decided between GARVÍA BIKE – CENTRO TIR and another rider from Todobici.

Riding together until the end of the race, I started the final sprint 10 meters behind the first rider, but I started to reduce the difference and half a wheel does not allow me to be the first one.

Good feelings and very happy for finishing in the 2^nd place of both the main ranking and my category.

Main ranking

Master 30

Special thanks to my father (and manager) for his great encouragements, references and photos.