NICK MULDER RACING

Blood, sweat, tears and.... cow shit?

Yeah it was just THAT glorious. Holland is flat all over, except where I live, in Limburg. Great for training but not so great for organizing time trials. Limburg doesnt really have a history of time trial riders, most of the riders coming out of this region built to ride the Amstel Gold race and excel on punchy short climbs.

Well that describes todays 'time trial' - punchy. 5km on cow shit roads in freezing rain. As I took off my legs felt pretty good quickly hitting 40kph on the false flat side wind section. But this good feeling was quickly drained as the road got steeper and the wind stronger.

After about 1km I faced the first downhill, 200m, where I could quickly gasp for air. It felt like my position on the TT bike was suffocating me - crushing my chest. As soon as I recovered I sprinted up a small riser with a 7% gradient. Sit stand sit stand. I just couldnt find my rhythm. 

Atop the small hill I made sure to jam it to the turn, 250m ahead. At this point I was wondering what the hell I was doing on my time trial bike. But as soon as that thought popped up into my head I hit the turn, picking up speed and flying at close to 55kph. 

If only that lasted a little longer. Before I knew it there was a 90 degree turn to the right, if it wasnt for all the people clad in bright colors I might have barreled right into them. At the last minute I hit the brakes, tires slipping barely clearing the turn and losing all my speed. I was literally going 10kph. I lost all speed, since the turn came so abrupt I forgot to shift making the small riser feel like eternity. Slowing regaining speed, smashing the cranks into the strong wind. Then again, a small riser before a sharp downhill. 

I had remembered this turn from when I prerode the course and I was intent on not overcooking it. Probably the only good thing I did during the whole time trial. I took the turn perfectly, leaving with full speed briefly having tapped my brakes.

Than several turns later I was back at the bottom of the climb. Contrast to the 'perfect' turn this turn back to the finish atop the hill didnt go quite as smooth. Again I was forced to re-accelerate but didnt want to go too hard because it was still a long way to the finish. After about 400m of climbing I approached the final turn. Seeing a small group of people in the distance. Damn, now I was really hurting. I could barely pedal - it felt like I was just smashing in slow motion. Somebody was cheering me on, but between the tapping of the rain on my helmet and my gasping breath I didnt hear what they had to say. 

As I approached the finish I just kept jamming and jamming. Saving my sprint for the final 100m. Thats when the group of people appeared out of nowhere 50m in front of me and the rider in front of me turned around. Hmmm guess that was the finish. Some random line with all the officials sitting cozy in their cars. I cant blame them, it was nasty cold.

Well a mediocre time trial at best somehow landed me with a second place. Team mate Tom Dumoulin and all around bad ass won on his road bike. Maybe a smart move - but I was happy with my choice. 

With Olympias Tour kicking off next Monday with a 10km time trial I was happy I got some suffering in the TT position. There is no better practice for a time trial than riding a time trial. Although I didnt feel great today I am really looking forward to this time trial, it suits me much better. I dont want to set a goal but I just want to finish the line knowing I gave it everything. Hopefully thats good enough for a good result.