Los Angeles Track World Cup: ADT Velodrome, Carson, California, USA, January 20, 2006
The only positive thing I can say after tonight's World Cup points race is that things can only get better!
I made this trip to LA after many long conversations with my coaches, managers and selectors; we all knew that attending this event might not have been in my best interest long term (following an injury) but due to UCI regulations and our late discussions, I was pressured to attend.
Once the final decision was made and I was aboard the plane to the US, I started visualising and hoping for the best. I can confidently say that I went into the race mentally prepared as I had successfully removed all negativity and doubt surrounding the fact that I had only done a couple of track sessions since the accident, a fractured vertebra back in November.
There was a heat for the points race earlier today and although I struggled with the speed of the sprints, I got a few points and moved through to the final. It was a little rushed between sessions today, I had just enough time to return to the hotel, shower, eat and jump back on the bus for the final. My mentality during this time was: 'Tonight, it's another race, I'll bump the gear up a little and rely on positioning and fitness rather than speed' - so I was still trying to stay positive!
As it turned out, I just had nothing! The pace was too fast and I know realise that I need more than a couple of sessions on the track to prepare for a world class race. So I have learnt something from this event... something gained.
I'm feeling down because gaining an opportunity to represent Australia is not easy these days and I somewhat feel I have let us Aussies down, all my fans too... I'm sorry! I'll make sure I'm prepared for the big one!
First, I'll start thinking (positively of course!) about Sunday's World Cup scratch race.
One last thing - WELL DONE to Jenny, Nat and Liv for their wins during the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under!
