JWOC Relay - Men's Leg 2
...because once Alex had finished in a very nice position, my legs weren't ready to move once I hit the forest. Nearly instadropped by NOR 2 but legs woke up after a long track leg to 1. Potentially longer route but was too far in when I realised so tried to own it instead. Became very cautious though when I was alone and not too sure how far along the path.
Spiked it though and then hit 2 as a train of SUI, FIN, FRA and NOR 2 approached. Joint to 3 and correctly sensed it was common, but couldn't help but notice my compass was fixed on pointing west! Hesitated for a moment thinking I had blown it but then thought about it and knew the compass was faulty.
Struggled keeping up with the train and nearly blew number 5 by spotting a control too early on, but then headed to arena in a fast moving train. A little bit dropped as we entered but then legs awoke and I was chasing down RUS and FIN 2 who had now been caught. Hit number 8 confidently and was enjoying watching half the pack realise it wasn't their control. Ran off with RUS and NOR 2 once more, and then played around with a few routes trying to overtake in that way before the finish. Caught NOR 2 but RUS ran away with what should have been a slower route to 11...
Finished feeling better than when I had started and happy with the race. Not the fastest but the shape of the legs in the first half really let me down a bit I think. Unfortunate to watch Nathan live his nightmare after me but it happens every year and I'm not sure anyone in the team would hold such a position with some big names chasing for podium. They'll crack it one year....
Results -
http://online4.tulospalvelu.fi/tulokset/fi/2017_jw...
GPS -
https://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/2017jwocRM2/
TV -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ1tjyTMx7Y
.