Mátra Maraton '19 // Race report

Going to races and then write race reports. This time I'll try something different: I will not write big thoughts and all that. Instead you guys can see photos... photos that can give the feeling back what was my last weekend like! Enjoy! :) 

I finished 43 km race with 1200 m elevation just a bit over 2 hours and 30 minutes. This performance was enough to get the 25th place in the Masters 1 field. Am I happy with the result? Not so much... I was definitely aiming at the top 20 on Sunday.

I'd like to say thank you to Mátra Biker for signing me up for the race and to Eba Metallurgie Kft. for the support! Also a massive thanks to my girlfriend, my family and my friends for cheering me on during the race! You guys were awesome!!! And what else left to say? See you all in 2020! :)

  

July update

Yep, I'm still around and doing my thing. Been off-road a lot in the past weeks and having fun on the trails alright. The preparation is going kinda ok I guess... but we will see in September at this year's Mátra Marathon. At this point it is 100% sure that I will line up at the start line only there...will not be doing any other races this year.

Happy out! :) 

Hey, I'm back!! // Just a quick update

Well, it has been a while since my last post...shame on me I need to admit! After the racing season I just did what I always do: doing my thing without much of a commitment and enjoy life as much as I can! :) Here I have a few shots of what I've been up to lately. 

Done some nice autumn riding...

... and also a savage night spin!

Visited nice places up in the mountains...

...and at the Danube also! Stunning! 

And most importantly spent some quality time with my kids...:)

So, life is going great and I can say that I'm recharged and ready to do some work! In fairness I'm already doing as I started my winter training about 2 weeks ago. I'm back on the bike and I'm back running also. 

The motivation is there, I have a few goals for next year, so roll on 2019!!! Bring it on!!!

Mátra Maraton // Race report

Finally! I managed to put a good race together, the kind that makes me feel that everything has came together like it should have been! But lets go from the beginning. 

I was really looking forward this years Mátra Maraton as the event was fully & completely renewed. Including new location, new start/finish area, brand spanking race course and the whole jazz altogether! 

Well, I've pretty much dropped my jaw straight after we arrived to the race centre at Mátraszentistván. Stunning spot it is, absolutely mind blowing!!

"Lets do this!"

As I was in a great mood and also put in a good training week I was dying to get ready and line up at the start line. But before all that we all lined up for a nice team photo:

Great bunch of lads here at MátraBiker :) 

I was pretty lucky to get to the start area nice & early so I managed to start from the 3rd row. The field was led out to the course and after the slow start the game was on! I mean ON! I felt great on the bike and the legs were turning well also. So everything was on one card straight from the start and the strategy was to go flat out and not to look back. 

The course was something else! It was simply brilliant: bone dry trails with a tad bit of mud here and there, loads of roots and even more rocks. And some climbs...I mean some proper climbs! Steep ones that put the hurt on! :) 

In action

The race was going my way and at about 30 km mark I still felt proper speed in the system so I decided to gamble a bit and it worked. I managed to cross the finish line with the best result of this season! 

I finished 38 km race with 1000 m elevation just a tad bit over 2 hours. This was enough to get the 12th place out of the more than 80 Masters 1 riders. Am I happy with the result?! Sure I am!! 

  

Shortly after the finish with a massive smile on my head. The target for the season was to get into the top 15 in Masters 1. I was knocking on the door already but last Sunday I finally managed to open that door. This 12th place is good for me, it is pretty much as good as it could get this year. :) 

Yep, it's time to get cleaned up and get some rest 

And what can I say about this year's Mátra Maraton? It... was ... freakin'... PERFECT! Massive thanks to the organizers and everyone involved for putting such a great race and great day together for us. The location is stunning and the course was savage! It was easily one of the best XCM race that I've done in the last 18 years! Hats off! 

#dustasfarasyoucansee :)

April update

Hi all! I've been quiet lately as my plate is full with loads of things... but I'm back here again and it's about time to post a quick update! :)

The training is going pretty well I can say. My first race of the season is only 4 weeks away so it's time to speed up and have the savage spins done! The form is coming, the motivation is through the roof! I'm also dying to see my new team kit!! #excitingtimes #can'twait

#justaniceshot

Finally we are back riding trails again!!

Yessss, the weather has finally cleared off a tad bit. This could mean only one thing for a mountain biker: hit the trails without a second of hesitation! 

Now, some places were still almost unrideable but at least we could ride some of the local trails getting the taste of some sweet mountain biking. Man, I was waiting to see these trails badly!!! :)

I've had a good week on the bike, I managed to get out for training 4 times this week. I was riding  8 hour and 45 minutes and done 168 km with 2745 meters of climbing. Finally I put in a solid week of training and that's good for now! I even had a chance to celebrate... 

... with a lovely piece of mignon from my favourite pastry shop! :) 

I cycle... I mean icicle :)

#Saturdaytrainingspin

Finally! Winter is here!!

Yep, a proper amount of snow has dropped overnight. This could mean only one thing: a savage winter MTB session in the snow! So we got on the bike got one of the best winter spin done in ages. There was a loooot of going sideways I'm tellin' ya! :)