After the time trial it was race day and down to the business end of things. In the first race I felt awesome. Honestly I was feeling the fastest that I have ever ridden in my life. In the 2nd qualifying race Manon Valentino (FRA) jumped across in front of me over the 1st jump squeezing me out going roughly 53kmph I had no where to go. Ariel Martin (USA) and myself hit in the air and crashed, I scrambled to get back on but had skin off everywhere, was feeling pretty sore and shaken up and I didn't qualify through into the semi finals. Probably the one word I could describe how I felt after crashing was devastation. At this level of racing we put 110% commitment, time, focus and energy in….everything on the line and a whole year’s worth of preparation to try win that World Title. Knowing that I was fit, fast, strong, skilled and ready to race that final and get myself a spot on that podium has made me so much more hungry and determined for the next World Cup race. The Australian Team are now staying in Holland to train for the next 2 weeks before we fly into the 2012 London Olympic Village for the World Cup/Olympic Test event. :)
Caroline Buchanan
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.