Kaden Hopkins and his Essax teammates completed almost a 15-hour drive before, competing in the Spanish Cup of Vigo in Spain, which was followed by a pre-race prep, then a hard race, and then the 15 hours ride back.
Hopkins told www.islandstats.com, “I had the most positive race experience I’ve had by far since I got here. I was positioned great all race (always in the first 10 riders) and fueled perfectly.
I was even climbing with the front climbers for the first half of the race. Heading into the base of the 3rd climb I got a flat but was able to get back to the team car to change it, get back in and get straight back to the front with no issue.
For the rest of the climb, it was full gas and I had the best legs possible but was distanced in the last km of the climb.
I left the race with my head held high because I know I did everything right and it was simply because I couldn’t match the strength the big teams set on the climbs.
I am confident now that I will race well heading forward with regards to positioning and the training will follow its course for me to get the power I need.”
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