Todd didn't have the best of starts, after another rider got very close as they left the start line but completing the first lap in 5th before soon making his way to 4th position was a good recovery. Todd unfortunately had to make a quick stop on lap 3, to change goggles that he had with him due to very poor vision in the rain and mist. This was much quicker than if he had to come in the pits and change goggles but still lost time and left him in a heated battle with 5th, 6th and 7th position riders. 

 

Todd soon got back to 5th position and started to pull a small gap on the group of riders before it was time to complete his first pit stop. Todd was a good 2 minutes back from the front 3 riders at this point and was very disappointed with how his first hour had gone but never the less, he stuck at it and did what we all know he can do. Pit stop 2 was completed after Todd had rode 2 laps with no goggles!! He sat in 4th place but we knew there were 2 riders infront of him that also needed to pit again. Todd was more conformable this time round and was going to push on for 4th position. We had 50 minutes left on the clock and Todd came into his own. The rain was falling, the track was very rough and Todd just got faster. With approximately 5 laps to go, Todd removed his goggles again and completed 3 laps with no goggles at all. Even setting the fastest lap times on circuit for those 3 laps!

 

Todd had 1 more stop in to the pits that was compulsory, normally we do a ride through but due to the conditions and the way the race was falling it looked like Todd could still be out on track at the 2hour 40minute mark and therefore we decided to complete another pit stop. Todd wasn't overly happy about putting goggles back on, he felt it was better without but the team were worried about his face and eyes and insisted he completed the race with goggles on. 

 

Todd then set off for the last 2 laps in 4th position but had a 10 second gap on 3rd position, Cam Chap and 16 second gap on 2nd place Van Horbeek. We had told Todd he was fastest man on track and podium position was more than possible. He certainly put 2 very good laps together eventually crossing the line in 2nd place with a 28second gap to 3rd position, Cam Chap. 

 

We are very pleased with the result and Todd's performance. We have had a good couple of weeks training and really working hard with Todd's trainer and fingers crossed its paying off now. We changed a few strategies within the pit crew and communication through headsets and Todd believes this had a big impact on the good recovery of a not so strong first hour. Myself and Todd are staying in the south of France this week ready for the next round at Hossegor next weekend.