Pontarlier

With no WIC race on last weekend Alexandra and myself headed to France early Sunday morning to compete in the French Inline Cup race at Pontarlier. The race started at 10.30am under clear skies but it wasn't a very warm day and the wind chill factor made it even colder. I started the race with a set of socks over my hands to try keep warm. Alexandra had that many layers on under her skin suit that she said on the start line "I feel fat".

The 34km course snaked through three valleys starting in the city of Pontarlier and ending in Mouthe. It was predominantly up hill but nothing too steep just a lot of long gradual climbs. It was a beautiful race if you were able to admire the views.

The course sorted out the womens field with skaters slowly dropping off the pack one by one. There was a sprint at around half way and I think nearly the whole village must have been out to see it, there was quite a crowd. We weren't too sure what the prize was for the sprint but when we saw the 1km sprint signs and we were both at the front of the pack we decided to go for it. I ended up winning the sprint and the prize was a set of ski's. Ironically Alex and myself have never skied before.


With around 10km to go the pack was down to just five skaters. No one tried to attack but Alex and I increased the pace a little each time we hit the lead. With around 3km to go we headed off the main road into Mouthe and onto little side roads which were rough and really patchy. Anne Sophie Petitprez was the first to make a move and started winding up the pace with around 1km to go. Jessica Gaudesaboos came from behind to take the lead with around 500m to go and we jumped on her wheel as she came through. Alex and myself both came past her down the final straight whilst trying to dodge the pot holes in the road. I won the race for the 2nd year and Alex came in 2nd.

1/ Nicole Begg - BONT WHEELS
2/ Alexandra Vivas - BONT WHEELS
3/ Jessica Gaudesaboos - Cado Motus
4/ Karin Widmer - x-Tech Crocs
5/ Anne Sophie Petitprez - ASEB


This was the first long road race that I was able to wear and test out the Bont 100mm wheels. After the race the first thing I done was cheek out the state of my wheels as the road was quite rough and I expected to wear out my wheels. I was surprisingly pleased that the wheels had hardly worn at all. They still all have their center lines and have hardly been touched.