Le grand tour du Montreal
Photo @ CJ Farquharson, WomensCycling.net
Stage 1 – 107km road race - 45th
Today we raced stage 1 of the Le grande tour du Montreal. The course was a new addition to the tour and after studying the circuit in the race bible, I knew that we were in for a hard race.
The course was mostly flat p around the region of Châteauguay to the south of Montreal. We raced 8 laps of a 13km circuit which contained 32 corners per lap. To best describe the course would be to imagine a toddler trying to draw a circle for the first time with a big crayon. It wiggled and weaved in every direction. Also, the pavement was badly cracked and there were metal circular man holes strategically placed on most corners. The final ingredient in today’s race was the rain. The weatherman predicted a 30% chance of rain which meant that it definitely rained. It drizzled several times and for most of the race the course was wet, muddy and slippery.
Knowing that the course would be fast, as soon as the race started, I put my Orbea in the 53x12 and drilled it to the very front. I have learnt that it is better to do this than to fight for 2 laps to get to the front later. I settled in on the front and got the legs warmed up.
My legs felt amazingly fresh and I have to say I love racing in these conditions. When the course is technical and it is raining and windy, I feel like a pig in mud. I know it really helps that I completely trust our mechanic, Bernard for preparing our bikes for us. Also the Eastern deep-dish carbon wheels are fantastic to race on and I love them in all conditions.
Contrary to my happiness was the look of discontent on Rach’s face. I asked her after about 4 laps how she was going and the expression on her face was priceless. She looked like an American tasting vegemite for the first time!!
At the end of the 3rd and 5th lap at the finish line, there were intermediate sprints for bonus seconds and points. There was an unbelievable battle amongst teams Tmobile, expresscopy, Colavita, Nurnberger, Safi Pasta and Webcor for these bonus seconds on offer. Christine maintained great position in the top 20 and it was my job to help lead her out for these sprints. With many top international sprinters in the field, Christine fought well but the points were scooped up by tmobile and Nurnberg.
The peloton was completely strung out for most of the race. Katheryn, Rach and I followed countless attacks and also initiated a few attacks but it was quickly evident that nothing was going to escape today. Christine rode a smart race and followed a dangerous attack by former world champion, Judith Arndt (tmobile). I took the next corner like a complete nuff-nuff to help open a gap to her. I was hoping a break would develop but too many teams were not represented and it was soon groupo compacto (all together).
I was curious to see what my Polar data showed after the race. Although the average speed was only 39km/hr due to the number of corners, most sections of the course were raced at 50-550km/hr. During a big effort to follow a threatening attack in the first lap, I hit 61km/hr. And to Merry, our soigneur, she continues to do an amazing job with her 100% water bottle delivery success rate, in a fast flat feed zone. She stands 5ft tall but she doesn’t even flinch when we come in for a bottle at 50km/hr.
After having great legs for most of the race, I wish I could say that Webcor achieved a result today but it wasn’t too be. I narrowly missed coming down with 3km to go as the battle for the sprint commenced. Each team fought to get their sprinter into position at any cost. With 1km to go I was way too far back and knew we had no chance of a result. In the dash for the line and the tour leader’s yellow jersey, Regina Schleicher (Nürnberger) edged out Oenone Wood (tmobile), with Giorgia Bronzini (Safi - Pasta Zara Manhattan) finishing 3rd.
We all finished safely in the main peloton. So our plan is head back to the University of Montreal for some rest and to prepare for stage 2. And with more rain forecast, I know Rach will be up early doing an anti rain dance. Stay tuned for tomorrows results.
Stage 2 – 104km road race - 24th
Report from cyclingnews.com
The field came flying through the city streets of Granby on the final lap led by a pattern of Nürnberger blue and the magenta of T-Mobile with their respective sprinters prepared for battle. Safi-Pasta's Italian speedster Giorgia Bronzini was pleased with her double-day podium behind Schleicher and Wood. "I wanted to find Regina's wheel in the last few kilometres but that wasn't possible because when I got there Oenone Wood was already there," Bronzini said. "I positioned myself behind Oenone so with five hundred meters to go I was in fifth."
Bronzini noted the powerful riders involved in the lead out beginning with Kate Bates (T-Mobile) and Trixi Worrack (Nürnberger) who set the pace ahead of Schleicher, Wood and herself with one kilometre to go. "Regina jumped with two hundred meters to go and neither Wood nor I were able to move around her by the end."
"This is my second time racing this race, the first was in 2004 and there were much more hills," Bronzini added. "I really like the way the race has changed this year because it is perfect for my preparations for the Giro d' Italia coming up – That's the reason I am here with my team."
1 Regina Schleicher (Ger) Équipe Nürnberger Versicherung 2.41.26 (39.3 km/h)
2 Oenone Wood (Aus) T-mobile
3 Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Safi - Pasta Zara Manhattan
Stage 3 – 3km individual time trial - 16th
I had a pretty good ITT finishing 6sec behind winner, Judith Ardnt.
1 Judith Arndt (Ger) T-Mobile 4.06 (51.2 km/h)
2 Dotsie Bausch (USA) Colavita Sutter Home
3 Trixi Worrack (Ger) Équipe Nürnberger Versicherung
12 Oenone Wood (Aus) T-Mobile 0.06
16 Helen Kelly (Aus) Webcor Builders 0.06
Stage 4 – 50km criterium - 30th
The evening criterium was fast and furious. A crash within the last 3km caused a huge split in the field. I was caught up in it but was unhurt. Unfortunately, the commissaires decided the riders that made it to the finish were in a break when the crash happened, so all the riders including myself who had to stop because of fallen riders, then chase were given a time, 18 seconds behind the winner. With GC being separated by only seconds, this decision was not received favourably.
1 Oenone Wood (Aus) T-Mobile 1.12.46 (41.23 km/h)
2 Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Safi - Pasta Zara Manhattan
3 Trixi Worrack (Ger) Équipe Nürnberger Versicherung
Stage 5 – 128km road race - 36th
Today's race was fast and furious. Many tried to attack but Tmobile did a fantastic job and bringing back any dangerous breaks. A bunch kick up a long 1km drag, saw Oenone win the stage and the tour. I finished just over 1min down, in 32nd position.
Overall GC results
1 Oenone Wood (Aus) T-Mobile 9.38.10
2 Trixi Worrack (Ger) Équipe Nürnberger Versicherung 0.11
3 Katherine Bates (Aus) T-Mobile 0.30
32 Helen Kelly (Aus) Webcor Builders 1min 19sec
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