Whyte racer Billy Wenman’s bid for glory in his first season of Cyclo Cross ended up with him in casualty. The Boy Wonder tore his leg after a spectacular off with a spectator on a tight corner. He ended up fifth and being off the podium is never good enough for the Whyte man on his Wilier. This is Billy’s report.
I had a nightmare!
Warmed up and it was perfect, I felt good and my legs had felt good all week.
On the start and I was in the second row and good start from the gun and took the lead. As the field spread out a few gaps opened up and me and Jamie Harris pulled a gap.
Then I pulled my foot out of my pedal, and lost the wheel, and then went into panic mode and slipped to 20th position. I was not best pleased with myself.
Two laps went by and I felt like crap, I couldn’t put the power down or anything – I was panicking and then – to make matters worse – I clipped a spectator on a corner and I flew off my bike, gashing my leg open.
This woke me up a bit! My tub had rolled off so I got up, pulled the tub back on, jumped on the bike and began to ride hard – exactly the way I had started the race!
I went from 20th to 5th place within a few laps!! And on the last lap the podium was probably just 30 seconds off !! Another lap or two and who knows what may have happened.
So 5th place for me but not a bad result for my first season in cross
Oh, I almost forgot, I went to hospital after the race and had to have 18 stitches in my leg as I have a massive hole in it. The nurses were impressed with my tan and my muscles.