I had a rough start, not being able to get clipped in through the gassy start. I had to make big effort once getting fully clipped in, to get around another girl and hit the single track in second.
Liz was ahead and dominated the first climb. I couldn't get a good flow and she held her gap on the flowing and twisting sections that followed. By the time I popped out of the single track to the first open section Liz already had a 15-20 second lead. I thought I could close the gap a little on the next single track section, but I was not cornering confidently and was breaking far too much. I just couldn't get into a good rhythm/flow- which was super frustrating because the fast/twisty sections are usually my strong point.
Liz was killing it on the course and had strengthened her lead to over a minute on the first lap. It was really hard mentally for me to be in this position, since last year I was used to being the one stretching the lead or riding very close to first. I kept powering on though, I knew that Ann wasn't far behind in third place. (Awesome job in your first Expert race by the way!).
It was a hard 4 laps - so much climbing! But after all the climbs we were rewarded with very fun downhills and flowy sections. The trails were in excellent condition and the new wooden berm was a definite highlight of the trails. I can't wait until they finish the other two! The final descent was spectacular as well. It's roller coaster fast and you just fly through the woods- so much fun!