‘Crashes, Agony... And A Great Year Of Racing'

Despite his target races being scuppered by crashes, James Bullen has learnt priceless lessons as he stepped up a licence category

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Having crashed out of my ‘A’ race for the season, the Lewes Crit Series (Fitness Project, W June 20), my next big target was the Surrey League Handicap Championship on September 17. Everything was shaping up well until two weeks before, when I crashed on a training ride — heavily! I’m not sure what happened, but I’d come to a roundabout and was out of the saddle, about to accelerate away, when I flipped over the bars, landing hard on my chest. I’ve broken ribs before, and this feels similar — sneezing or coughing feels like someone is stabbing a knife into my chest!