Riders strung out in the Coupe de France last Sunday, which featured Aaron Buggle
Following a strong Rás, Aaron Buggle has now settled back in France with his team ‘Apoge Super U’ near Bordeaux. In this brief dispatch he talks us through his whirlwind and punishing racing schedule of the past couple of weeks as he prepares for the National Championships this weekend.
Since the last installment I’ve been immersed back into the French lifestyle and culture for a little over two weeks. It’s not long enough to really settle back in to be honest. But having ridden five races since returning, I’ve been busy to say the least. I hadn’t ridden for the team in a few weeks so I really wanted to put in a few good rides to keep things afloat.
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I had some form and seemed to have recovered quite well but I hadn’t forgotten the level I was coming back to. Last Sunday week saw me finish 7th, with four team mates netting a top 10. It was horrific weather (punishment for the dry Rás!) and I was happy with the result as it was a championship type course and I was able to follow the top guys when it mattered.
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Last Wednesday we headed off for a nocturne in Angouleme - a buzzing picturesque city where people were enjoying their evening quietly drinking coffee until we started ripping around the street’s until 11pm. It was a mental fast course with flowing corners and suited me quite well. It blew to absolute pieces and I put in as many attacks as I could to get away towards the end but it wasn’t happening and I got swallowed by a small group. I still finished 8th; so two top 10’s in one week in France wasn’t bad. I arrived back at my apartment still buzzing at 1am; not the best night’s sleep to say the least.
Last Sunday was the big one for me and the main reason I came back for a period between the Rás and National Championships; the French Cup or Coupe de France. And what a mental day it was…
It was the most enjoyable race of the year by a long shot and unbelievably painful at times. But I loved it. With sixteen gravel and cobble sections it was always going to me mayhem. I had great legs and was in every move except one that snuck away with around 10km to go. I came home in front of a biggish group sprinting for 9th or so and I finished 12th on the day. It wasn’t a ground-breaking result but I was happy enough considering it was part of the Coupe de France. And I was content I had the legs to be in that winning move. So, all in all it was worth popping back to France for the short spell; a 7th and 8th and then a 12th in the French Cup to wrap up the week. Not to shabby.
Next stop the Nationals!
Aaron
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