The Ganges: 006 The Sickness Arrives

The Ganges: 005 Reunion of the River

The Ganges: 004 Brass Tax

The Ganges: 003 Mists’ of Moradabad

The Ganges: 002 Into the Unknown

Dear reader, this is the high watermark. THE moment of this amateur’s career. So please let me indulge. 

We had a plan. With Alex Sychou and Mads Fogh Nielsen in 2/3rd in GC, we were all in to get them in the break so long as the man in the jersey (yes there really is a jersey) was not in it. 

This course, characterised with kickers and tight corners makes for a hard race. Add Amager Ring and NBCK rolling punch after punch at each other; well I was happy to hold on in many parts.

Lap 4 arrives and still no break. I’m holding on, I make the decision to hide, and save the legs as best I can for the sprint. I really didn’t feel I’d be arriving at the line with much to give, you have to try. I position 
myself well and Frederik Kjærgaard Laursen agreeing to be a lead out, steps up, steps up big. Ripping it up the hill that leads to a false flat sprint, legs are screaming, riders shelling left and right, but this train ain't stopping.

We find our team leading out the sprint for the line. Having picked my spot to go on an earlier lap, the moment arrives, i give everything I had left. And suddenly, it’s just me and the finish line. There was no surge of joy but disbelief. Surely i couldn’t have won, there must be a mistake, a break must had gone which I missed. Dear reader I had won. My beaming teammates assured me so, and then a rush of pure ecstasy. Being part of this team is a joy.

A year ago, I lacked a lot of things on a bike, mainly confidence. NBCK has given me so much both on and off the bike: I’m so proud to achieve this as part of this club.

Top Sports

Elliott Howarth-Johnson

Sommer Cup: A Trip to the Top Step. 🥇

5 Photos

15 Comments

Segments

Sign up to view more activities from Elliott Howarth-Johnson

The Ganges: 006 The Sickness Arrives

The Ganges: 005 Reunion of the River

The Ganges: 004 Brass Tax

The Ganges: 003 Mists’ of Moradabad

The Ganges: 002 Into the Unknown

Want to see more?

The #1 app for runners and cyclists

Sign Up for Free. Track your progress and reach goals. Join 100 million active people on Strava.

See More from Elliott