{"id":23264,"title":"Alderney Baker Blog: Cyclocross Addict","description":"Alderney Baker, the series leader in the UK's Cyclocross National Trophy reflects on the highs and lows of her season so far and why she loves cyclocross.","content":"

Published in<\/strong>: CYCLOCROSS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

The series leader in the UK's Cyclocross National Trophy reflects on the highs and lows of her season so far and why she loves cyclocross.<\/p>

\"NationalNational Trophy series leaders - Toby Barnes and Alderney Baker<\/em><\/strong> Image: Alderney Baker<\/em><\/p>

Alderney Baker<\/a>, riding for Team Empella, is the current series leader in both the elite and under-23 categories of the UK's Cyclocross National Trophy. The 21 year old finished third last season in the under-23 British National Cyclocross Championships.<\/p>

What\u2019s the point of cyclocross?<\/h3>

Any cyclocross addict will know that the best four to six months of the year are those that have the shortest days and most likely the worst weather. But they hold the best races with the biggest variety of conditions and fun.<\/p>

\"Cyclocross<\/u><\/a>For some people, the cross season is about getting back on the bike and brushing up on skills that they\u2019ve neglected during the summer. For others, it\u2019s a chance to catch up with everyone they\u2019ve missed, have fun and just laugh. People suddenly become super competitive and try to make it look like they know what they\u2019re doing.<\/p>

I've met some of my best friends on the cross bike<\/p><\/blockquote>

For me, it\u2019s all of these things. I\u2019ve met some of my best friends on the cross bike and week in and week out the cross-community excels at supporting one another in its own unique way.<\/p>

Cyclocross National Trophy<\/h3>

For those riding the Cyclocross National Trophies in the UK, Derby has for years been a staple event opening the series and hosting a cracking event. I might be slightly biased but the team that create this event never fails to put on an amazing weekend. I just happen to ride for them too.<\/p>

\"BronzeBronze at the British National Cyclocross Championships<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

This event sets the standard for other courses, hospitality, and racing throughout the rest of the season. When it\u2019s dry it\u2019s super-fast, and this year\u2019s event was just that. For British riders, the selection for World Cup races tends to be based on the first round of the season. This makes it an especially important race for anyone who has ambitions of representing the UK abroad.<\/p>

This year I had an OK race at Derby, although I wasn\u2019t ecstatic about my result. I made a few mistakes, but I rode a race I could be proud of and as a season opener it was one I was happy to get out of the way. It was a half-decent ride but I felt I was \u2018missing\u2019 the legs I knew I should have.<\/p>

Cyclocross World Cup Selection<\/h3>

After achieving a top five in the elite race, I finally got the nod for World Cup selection. It\u2019s something I\u2019ve been working hard towards for so long. This time around, the first World Cups included Tabor in the Czech Republic and Maasmechelen in Belgium. The latter is a new event and it looked good on paper, but anything can happen at an untested venue.<\/p>

Unfortunately, due to Tabor being such an expensive trip, I couldn\u2019t afford to take up my selection. Instead, we made the long trip to Falkirk in Scotland for round two of the National Trophy series.<\/p>

I had a better race. It was muddier than the first round and the course had been churned up by the veteran and youth races the day before. I was delighted when I was presented with the yellow jersey as the series leader.<\/p>

My success, however, presented me with a dilemma<\/p><\/blockquote>

My success, however, presented me with a dilemma. I now had a good chance of winning the series overall. The next round of the National Trophy clashed with the World Cup event in Maasmechelen but I was really keen to make my World Cup debut.<\/p>

Maasmechelen Disappointment<\/h3>

My debut at a World Cup event drew closer, but my plans took a blow on the Wednesday before the Maasmechelen weekend. For reasons I won\u2019t bore you with, I discovered that the only way I could make the event was if I could get a lift with someone else. With only a few days to go, it was an uphill task.<\/p>

\"Alderneyc<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Not only that, but even if I did manage to make the trip to Belgium, I\u2019d need to find my own pit crew. In the end, we decided it was just not possible. From the high of my success at Falkirk, it came as a crushing disappointment.<\/p>

A number of people tried to help me but to no avail<\/p><\/blockquote>

A number of people tried to help me but to no avail. I\u2019d like to thank in particular Tim at Rijden who asked Ellen van Loy for help. Never having met me, and knowing nothing of me, Ellen went out of her way to assist. It just proves how great the cyclocross community is.<\/p>

I just had to put this behind me and hope I\u2019d achieve selection later in the year. One bright moment in the gloom was the realisation that my entry hadn't yet been pulled for the Sunderland round of the National Trophy. At least I\u2019d be able to defend my yellow jersey. At the last minute, we managed to hire a van to get us up to be on the start line.<\/p>

\u00a0Success in the National Trophy series and selection for the World Cup have been my twin goals for as long as I can recall.<\/p>

Triggers<\/h3>

They say consistency is key. In so many more respects than just being an athlete, finding a routine and identifying your triggers is important to function at your best. Triggers might be a word or phrase someone says to you. They can ruin your day by detrimentally affecting your mood.<\/p>

Learning how to respond to triggers is something that\u2018s hard to get right. Surrounding yourself with people you know and trust is a big help. For me, that's why cyclocross is the best.\"Ellen<\/u><\/a><\/p>

At almost every race in the UK, the crowd is very similar so it's almost always possible to find someone that can help get you into a positive headspace. After the disappointment of missing out again on a World Cup, it was difficult for me to get to the start line as the best version of myself.<\/p>

Having my best friend and so many other supportive figures around me made all the difference. Not only did I achieve a top-three in the elite race but I also won my first under-23 National Trophy round. Without the encouragement of my friends, I doubt I\u2019d have overcome the adversity.<\/p>

\u00a0Balancing<\/h3>

Going into the next round of the National Trophy series all I can really do is make sure I use my head and ride to my strengths. I'll admit I found balancing university and training really hard.<\/p>

I have since found a new appreciation for those that work full-time and still continue to put in mega rides. I would say to anyone looking to balance their studies and sport, don't take your spare time for granted.<\/p>

\"CyclocrossCyclocross friendships are important to Alderney (left)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

I know it's not always easy to get on with sessions when you\u2019re in an environment that doesn't necessarily support the lifestyle that you want. For some, it's easier than for others. Working three days a week while trying to race each weekend leaves two days for long sessions.<\/p>

In addition, travelling to and preparing for each round is time-consuming as well as costly. At Uni\u2019, having time between lectures makes a massive difference to the training you can undertake.<\/p>

I\u2019m so grateful to everyone at my current job that has supported me to race this season. I\u2019ve only ridden a small number of races so far this year so I can concentrate on the National Trophy events.<\/p>

As for World Cup races, who knows for now?<\/p><\/blockquote>

In the last couple of weeks, it hasn't been possible to get in as much training as I would want. I'm hopeful that I can still salvage at least a half-decent ride at the next round of the National Trophy and maintain my overall lead. As for World Cup races, who knows for now?<\/p>

By the time you read this, I\u2019ll probably be in Belgium. I\u2019m heading over with a few friends to race there over Christmas. Thanks for reading and if you see me racing, do give me a cheer!<\/p>

14 Dec 2022, Alderney Baker<\/p>

\"grrbpemyywmusal5merxugim70nijvc2vqzqxpkx6vlx83lu.jpg\"More Cyclocross<\/h3>

\"Cyclocross<\/u><\/a><\/p>

\"Jana<\/u><\/a>\"Alderney<\/u><\/a><\/p>

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