i've been racing CX too, usual string of midpack results for the most part, but this past Sunday was my A race (and my club's race too) and I was as high as 9th in the first lap, I think (based on my video) but gave up some spots in the first lap due to some sloppiness and being unable to really accelerate to catch guys, but I ended up crashing near the end of the first lap and gave up an additional couple of spots and then one guy who had been on my wheel the whole race got me toward the end of the final lap, so ended up 15/40, but had things gone well could have been 11th possibly. Fitness is there, skill isn't, so I'm really hoping to do a clinic next summer and improve on the skills. I had the same avg power and NP as the race winner on a pretty flat course, so the effort is most certainly being misused in my case. Anyhow, still trying to have fun and not burden myself with expectations!