Hermida has already started his personal XC racing season. After his attendance to the Cape Epic, Jose has taken part today in his first XC race of the year. The level was really high, with top World Cup riders that came to test themselves before the first World Cup of this 2010, that will be held in Dalby Forest next weekend.

A very fast track and without demanding areas to open gaps, has taken the riders to form groups. However, in the first half of the race, Jose’s team mate Ralph Näf and Iñaki Lejarreta have been able to open a 30 seconds gap. After speculating for a few laps, the chasing group of 4, where Jose was included together with a team mate, have been able to get to the leading duo and create a 6 men group. The last 3 laps have been a succession of attacks, losing 2 riders and with 4 men getting to the final 1,5 kilometers.

In the end, Jose has been 4th, as he had no options of passing any rider in the narrow final singletrack. “I have pushed from the beginning. The plan was to have a tough weekend before the first World Cup. Yesterday I wasn’t lucky in the Eliminator and I was out in the first heat. However, I trainned in the morning and I did a good home trainner session in the afternoon. Today, I wanted to suffer. I have felt strong. I have gone through some problems with my chain and I have had to stop 3 times; I have been able to get to the front group the 3 times. In the final singletrack, there was not much to do, but to stay in the position I had. To be 4th just 7 seconds away from the winner makes me feel very satisfied”, explains Hermida after his first XC race of the season.