Anna Kay still struggling from stomach virus damage: "I have also lost some weight as a result of the disease and it is difficult to regain it"

British cyclocross rider Anna Kay has found herself having a strong start to the season, winning the Hope Supercross series and finishing on the podium of the famous Koppenbergcross, but has recently been hampered by a stomach virus that she has not yet fully recovered from.

"...However, that stomach virus made a serious impact.... I have also lost some weight as a result of the disease and it is difficult to regain it," Kay told In de Leiderstrui following this Friday's Exact Cross Mol, where she finished 10th. The 24-year old had a strong season start where she performed strongly in some of the courses that featured significant climbing. "I have had some nice peak results, such as third place in the Koppenbergcross or seventh place at the European Cyclocross Championships."

"Those two certainly stand out in terms of highlights. I will probably mainly ride cross country with a lot of height difference. The hillier the better for me. So I will definitely take that into account when putting together my program. Moreover, I prefer to ride as few double weekends as possible." This has her in fifth place at the X2O Badkamers Trofee, however she is more focused on specific goals, which will in the near future include the national and World Championships.

"Normally I do indeed go to the world championships. That won't be my last race of the year," she reveals. "The intention is to continue racing until the end of February, especially because there are a number of nice competitions planned after the World Championships."