Yesterday, I went to Hirata Riverside Plaza in Gifu Prefecture,
where the Hirata Criterium was being held.
but I wasn't there to race in the crit this time;
I brought my cyclocross bike instead.
It seems a Hirata Cyclocross event was being held.
It was a pre-event ahead of the full-scale launch next season.
Since the entry fee was free,
I signed up without hesitation when online registration opened a week ago.
Incidentally, I had thought about entering the criterium as well,
but it hit capacity in no time, so I gave up on that.
The course used the grass inside the loop used for the criterium,
and it was a tough course that felt well-balanced between
technical zones and zones where you could really power through.
I drove there, but some of the CRC crew came by riding their bikes or by train.
Mr. H, who rode all the way from Kita Ward with minimal gear.
Since he's debuting in C2 next season, the fact that he intentionally entered C1 this time
to test his limits shows his high level of ambition!
Mr. K, who came by train, was exhausted by the gale-like headwind on the way,
but he still enjoyed the race!
Our familiar (?) friend Mr. P rode out to cheer us on.
Thanks for the support!
About 14 people started in the C1 race I entered,
including strong competitors like Yoshimitsu Tsuji and Goro Gakei.
I finished 4th. I couldn't beat the guys I'm evenly matched with in Kansai CX...
Since the final Kansai CX race, I've felt a bit empty,
so this was a good race to help me get back in the zone.
The consecutive steps that I’d usually dismount for in Kansai CX out of fear of making a mistake,
I managed to clear by riding this time since they were a bit lower.
I'll practice to clear them even faster and better.
Anyway, for us who have been traveling to the Kansai region for races,
it's great to have one held locally (it takes less than an hour by car from Nagoya).
It seems the AJOCC unified categories will be applied,
*Sorry. It seems they plan to operate with their own categories next season.
Let’s all participate next season!
Even before his own race, Mr. K was riding hard with a camera in hand. Great job!