It’s back to racing this month for Stefan Garlicki with a provincial series race to kick off the year before he’s off to France for the World Cup circuit.
It’s the week before the first provincial round of the year and it’s a strange feeling to be honest. It feels like forever since my last race and it will be interesting being in the gate again. However, I am excited to get out there and get a bit of a warm-up before I head to France for the World cup round one in Lourdes!
Mentally I think downhill mountain biking is one of the toughest sports on the planet for a number of reasons. For me, the mental side is by far the most important. The power of the mind is huge in all sports and dealing with pressure is a must, however in downhill there is so much more on the line. In our sport you have just one qualification run and one race run, just one, no second chance. To put it into perspective, the World Cups are all over the world and of the 250 odd riders who fly to the events just 80 qualify to race the finals; which means all the rest flew across the world basically just to watch. Also it’s important to note that these riders attending the World Cups are the very best on the planet. Money is tight and riders don’t want to waste their time and money at a World Cup if they don’t believe they will qualify.
To add to this pressure of performing in one single run, you have to take into account the tracks, which can be extremely difficult to ride, never mind race. The track also changes so much throughout the weekend as there are so many riders on the course. It could look entirely different from the last practice run to your race run. The weather is another big factor; if it rains the track changes hugely and can become very unpredictable. The timing of the rain can also be an important factor as sometimes you practice all weekend in the dry and then it decides to pour just before the finals. This is very intimidating, as you will have no idea what certain sections will be like to ride, and you then have to hit them at race speed first go! There are other variables like the bike you are on, you could have a puncture, a mechanical or even a crash. Any of which would mean your day is done as the times are simply too close with the top 80 being separated by as little as 12 seconds in qualifying!
All of this taken into account and still you add the risk factor, with all of this in mind, you still only have one run to get it done and you need to accept the fact that anything can happen. You need to lay it all on the line and just hope that everything falls into place. In the back of your mind you also know that you have just one chance. I really don’t know any other sport which has as many variables as downhill but I think that is what keeps me coming back and keeps the fans watching. The sport is very unpredictable which makes it exciting!
For me personally I have done a lot of work on my mental side as I believe it to be the most important part. I definitely felt a huge difference in 2015 and I think the results showed. People often say that downhill racers must have no fear, but for me I think the fear is important and is there for a reason. I certainly have fear but it’s about controlling that feeling and using it to fuel you. That is what keeps you from doing stupid things and keeps you out of the hospital, but obviously mistakes can happen. Believe it or not, downhill is extremely calculated and I wouldn’t try anything on the track unless I am fairly confident I can do it. However, from time to time you need to push the limits to improve and get to the next level.
Someone once told me not to think so much, just to let it happen and to worry about the things you can control. The rest will sort it’s self out.
Until next time…
