Tour de Valencia
4 Days, 4 Stages.
This was the team’s first race of the year, and my first big race.
Day 1- Team Time Trial, 5km.
I was planning for an individual time trial, but found out the evening before that it was a Team. We were not ready for this as only 2 girls (myself included) had time trial bikes. The plan from our director basically put me and my teammate on the front pushing the majority of the time. It was a hard effort on my part, but going against big 6 woman teams it was hard for us to contend.
Day 2- 110km Road Race – 31st.
A solid finish considering there were a couple tough mountain climbs and that is my weakness. I finished in the 2nd group with a couple of the other top sprinters from other teams. It was also 32 degrees/90 degrees, so a really hot day considering its just spring.
Good top 20 finish. The 2 climbs were not that hard and I was able to stay with the front group no problem. The last 20km were a drag race for positioning and getting set up for the finish. My sprint is strong but in the final 400m I was not in the best position and got pushed back, I always want to be better and know I could have been top 10. Learning and have to shake off the cobbwebbs after a long winter of not racing.
Day 4- 97km Circuit, 4 laps- ??
I’m not sure what my finishing place was.
The last stage was all flat and a great race for me. VERY FAST. I felt great and was in great position for the finish. Unfortunately, with 6km to go 2 girls crashed in front of me and as a result so did I. I was not hurt so got up right away fast, but it was too close to the finish and so I couldnt get back in the race.
Overall it was a good first step for the season and I am very positive for my fitness and how I feel. It’s just the beginning of a long season ahead. With a top 20 finish I am looking forward to what is to come.
Also, during camp there was a camera crew and journalist shooting for a documentary. The woman is working on a story to show the difficulty of a top UCI level women’s team to compete and succeed in a sport that is so divided from men’s cycling. It will be shown on Radio Canada, one of the largest Canadian TV networks.