Margriet Kloppenburg

When things do not go as expected, your first thoughts do not go to tell everybody about it on your website. And when the last time you wrote something is getting further and further back in time it gets harder to start writing again.

My road season has been a bit like a roller-coaster ride, a lot of ups and downs. At times I felt things turned and I felt better and better, for then suddenly to be tired and not in shape at all or just being ill. But also the other way around, from being riding around like a bag of petatoes to suddenly feeling on top of the world. This resultet in a lot of action going on in my head; frustrations, wondering, worrying, happyness – as I said before a roller-coaster. When we got to july it turned out I needed surgery for an injury I have had for longer time, another downer. I kept going for a while but I did not really know what I should do anymore. After a disaster ride at the world cup in Sweden I gave in, I had to give my head and body some rest to get back up and running. At first I only wanted a short break, so I could still get ready for worlds. But after a few days off I realised that a short break probably would not be enough and surtenly not if I had surgery done. As I did not wanted my cyclocross season to turn out a smy road season I made the big decision to end my road season for 2011, get the rest I needed, get surgery done and get a proper start on my cx season when I felt ready to start again. So a big decision, but as soon as I made it a big burden fell of my shoulders.

So I am happy I made the decision, even though it meant that I for sure would not ride worlds in Copenhagen. I have had a nice easy period and enjoyed time with my family, boyfriend and friends. Also I had surgery done succesfully. The first of september was my first day aloud back on the bike and I enjoyed my first ride very much! I am happy to be back!

So now I am back to training and am loving every ride! In 3 weeks I will do my first cx race in Neerpelt and hope to be in good shape for the first two world cups in Czech Republic medio october. The plans for this cx season are to race the full world cup series and the European championships in Lucca Italy.You can see my full program for this winter under “schedule and results”.

Enjoy riding your bike, i'll be back soon!

Margriet