JOEY GOUGH - BMX Girl

In case you missed it, I was on BBC2 yesterday, they showed my quarter and semi final from the worlds at 2pm! It was pretty good coverage, 4X does make pretty good TV. It didn't quite show the steepness of the course and it looked slower than it looks when you are right there, but it was a really positive step for MTB.

It's all over for another year, but this was the best yet. On home turf, the crowds turned out in their thousands to watch the 4X, I was quite shocked when I came down the hill for my Quarter final as it had been a while since my last practice run. It was a lot darker but most of all I noticed how many more people there were watching! It was mental. I can't describe the feeling of all those people all shouting for you, and cheering so loud when you cross the line and go through to the next round. I made it through the quarter with no problems. The Semi-final was always going to be tough... I drew 2nd fastest seed Melissa Buhl, Reigning World Champ Jill Kintner and the rider who almost wona World Cup, Rachel Seydoux. I had gate four it was going to be a long way round the outside berm but I gave it my best shot, I pulled fairly level with Buhl for 2nd place but being on the outside for the next turn, I had to tuck in behing and chase her down the course. I got closer at the finish but it wasn't enough.

I had had an amazing experience though, I was stoked on it, so many people saying well done and all the kids at the finish around wanting to give you a hi-five! I gotta mention the local boys from ringland, they were up on the start sraight when my race was held up, waving the union jack and shouting for me! It was so cool, really gave me a confidence boost! Also the guy who bet his mates a tenner he could get my autograph while I was queing to get me van out the car park.... I'll be expecting my cut in the post! ;o) Jill eventually went on to retain her title and then the guy presenting the medals nearly ripped her injured arm off on the podium!

Thank you so much to everyone who supported me.