It seems like every 2nd day we are getting race reports from Caroline Buchanan, and we can't even keep up with her! While juggling her busy BMX schedule, and aspirations for the 2012 Olympics, Caroline has managed to fit an international 4X round in, and it sounds like some intense racing.. Read her latest blog below...

It felt so nice to be back on the Mountainbike World Cup scene again.. Seeing old friends and racing without pressure and criteria to make. Slovenia’s weather was not on our side... It rained for 4 days heavy on and off making the worst mud conditions that I have every road in.

I felt very confident leading into the event with lots of BMX training behind me, having the rainbow World Champ stripes on my back and riding my new Commencal Bicycle. In Time trial I didn’t have a perfect run but posted the fastest qualifying time. I knew that the muddy conditions did not suit me very well and my tactic was to get good starts in every race.

In the quarter final I lead from the start and pushed the limits in the conditions to see what passing lines would be possible for the final. I progressed through to the Semi final with Beerten NED and Horakova CZE. Beerten lead from the 1st turn and I followed her down. I knew that if I got caught behind her again in the final that the 2nd corner would be my only chance of making a move. We both progressed through to the final joining Fionn Griffiths GBR and Sarsha Huntington AUS.

As top qualifier and winning the World Cup in Maribor last year I really wanted to be on the top step of the podium... In the final I got a great gate and was winning to the 1st corner, Beerten just got a wheel in front and took the lead. I didn’t want to sit for 2nd best and made an inside move on Anneke... I pulled it off, she slid off the track and unexpectedly as I was pedalling away I felt a big hit from behind, throwing me off the front of my bike and landing on my handle bar in my leg. I tried to get up faster than Anneke but was to sore and winded to complete the race.

I was very happy with 4th position at my 1st international 4x race since winning the World Title. With a hectic busy Olympic BMX schedule ahead of me,  I am looking forward to competing in 4x again at the USA World Cup and defending my World Title in Canada at the end of the year :)

Next race is a European BMX round in Germany next weekend and BMX World Championships in South Africa

xxx CB

• By Allan H