Cyclocross has already been heating up at various locations since September.
For us at Simworks CX Racing, we finally kicked off our season this past weekend at the first round of the Kansai Cyclocross series in Kinokawa.
The race venue on Sunday was a far cry from the cold morning before we left, and in the pleasantly sunny autumn weather, we raced through the flat riverside course while soaking in the unique atmosphere that Kansai Cyclocross is known for.
SimWorks CX Racing had Gishi-san competing in C2 and Aya in CL1. Gishi-san had a slow start due to being positioned in the back half of the grid, but with a calm performance, he gradually moved up through the field lap by lap to finish in 12th place.
As for me, Aya, I managed to hang on to the lead group that broke away early on, and once things settled down, I made my move and crossed the finish line in first place—marking our opening race with a podium finish as I had aimed for. Honestly, I felt anxious before the start, but once the race begins, all you can do is keep moving forward. As you complete laps and get used to the race, you start to find a little room to think. What everyone thinks about in that moment is different, but for me, I remember the friends at Circles who support and cheer for me, and the voices of those cheering along the course give me strength; that is exactly the moment when I feel that it's fun. That is the beauty of cyclocross—the feeling that even if you fail, you'll try your best next time—and that is why I keep racing. Simply put, I believe there is always fun waiting beyond the struggle and hardship, so I really want all of you to discover the charm of cyclocross as well. So, why not try challenging yourself with cyclocross alongside us this year?
Next up, Tokai Cyclocross finally kicks off on November 4th!
SimWorks will have a booth there, so please come by the venue. Whether you're racing or just spectating, let's all enjoy the cyclocross season together!
On the day before, November 3rd, the SimWorks CX Racing team members will be hosting a CX Clinic!
For those who want to try cyclocross but feel anxious, or those looking to sharpen their skills a bit more, we will be practicing basic techniques such as how to ride and carry the bike.
Children, adults, women, and beginners are all more than welcome, so please feel free to join us!
We were able to report such a positive start to the season thanks to everyone’s support and encouragement. Thank you so much!
We will be traveling to various locations as a team this season, so please make sure to cheer for SimWorks CX Racing if you see us at a venue!