So what can I say about the summer’s racing? Not too much, especially after ripping my hammy up Hotham in December; caught behind women crashing up hill again! How do they do that?? It just astounds me; so then on it was trying to repair the injury and race Oz champs; not a good recipe for success as it turns out and I struggled at Ballarat in January finishing well off the pace. However, I was still able to train and prepare for the NZ events providing I did not go up hill.
Anyway returned home from NZ feeling pretty satisfied with my efforts, but a little light on money and property after we had our gear stolen from the team van on the way to the airport. And don’t believe the border security reality shows; I strolled into the country no passport, no money and no identification; it seems like Air NZ has more clout than the Australian embassy; thanks to them and no thanks to our foreign office.
UCI Woman’s Tour of New Zealand (2.1) and International Cup (1.1).
For both races I joined a composite team, Handy Rentals, with Davina Summers (WA), Jessie Burns (QLD), Kathy Watt (VIC) and myself. As you can imagine by the end of our trip the word “Handy” became a natural part of our lingo.
The next two days were all about rolling the legs and keeping loose and sharp. The scenery in New Zealand is just “awesome hey”. Of course being cyclists we sussed out the local coffee shop and bakery and ended up with discounts galore just for being aussie.
Women’s Tour of New Zealand
Stage 1 Gladstone Circuit
This stage involved riding approx 20km out and then completing 30km circuit three times and riding 20km back to the start/finish. The majority of the stage was flat, except for a short hill each lap where the field was strung out but regroup shortly after. Being the first stage everyone was a bit edgy and crashes were the result, unfortunately Tanya was involved and was unable to complete the stage (she most likely has broken ribs). The Australian National Team and the MB Team tactics for the day were obvious, chase everything down, don’t let any break go and finish with a bunch sprint. I tried a couple of attacks and counter attacks as did many others but their tactics and teams were too strong and successful.
During the race there were some intermediate sprints, Davina ended getting up for a couple, so we decided on the road that I would give it my all to lead her out for the final sprint. With 15km to go the pace was on and by 10km to go the team trains were lining up. With 5km to go Davina was on my wheel and we were locked between the Australian team and the Japanese team both of whom somehow grow huge elbows at this end of the race. Outnumbered I was left with no choice but to try another line (or come down). I managed to get to the outside of the peloton with 2km to go. The final km involved a quick right and left into the finish straight; I pulled Davina back up through the bunch as much as I could; she whacked out a great effort for fifth and myself 17th. Not to bad start to the tour and pretty good for a team lead out of one.
Stage 2 (128km)
Another fairly flat ride with undulations towards the end. The start and finish were in the same place as the previous day. The team tactics for today were very similar to the previous stage. I found my self in trouble around the 60km mark, when I dropped back to get team bottles and they called the wrong car and to top it off the motorbikes were in the way of the convoy, hence no convoy to use to get back on the peloton; with effort and a little help from our team car I got back on, but my legs were shot. It came down to another bunch finish, a replica of the previous day, so I knew what I was in for. We left our charge a little later so as not to hit the front too early, I was able to hold my own and had Davina near the front on the right with 1.5km to go. Just before the last right we came upon some parked cars, I still don’t know how I managed not to hit them and untangle myself from the rider next to me but I avoided disaster, but lost position. Coming into the final straight I gave it everything and Davina amazingly still had my wheel, and another great sprint for 4th and myself 12th , both of us moving up in GC.
Lessons for the day: I to can grow elbows.
Stage 3 (125km)
1780m of climbing! (42% of the day going up hill) the last 12km of the race was climbing up Admiral Hill, needless to say it was a tough day and my legs felt every pedal stroke.
Kathy Watt attacked at 40km into the race, no one initially chased, but small groups eventually bridged the gap, Peta Mullens and Amber Halliday were successful. I was in the main peloton which stayed together until “the wall”-1.5km averaging 10%; the result being my lack of hill training coming back to haunt me and a really hard slog for 32nd for the stage and overall for the tour. Davina placed 21st. Amber was able to ride clear and win the stage and tour in solo style, not to shabby for a rower.
International Cup
Thankfully, a very fast flat stage, 119km (14 laps of an 8.5km) with two railway crossings and some parked cars to make it interesting; basically it was a big square with some twists and turns coming towards the start/finish line. The pace was on from the beginning and relentless throughout the entire race, multiple attacks and counter attacks occurred but none successful with the Australian National Team and MB team determined to make it another bunch sprint finish. Heading out each lap it was a cross headwind and the bunch was strung out every lap. Davina unfortunately flatted on the second lap, I tried to cover and slow down any breakaways so she could get back on, which she did (but without her 11 cog). Coming into the last lap I moved my way up through the pack. With 2km to go there was a left hand corner that I decided to take wide, Davina had found my wheel and all I could here was “Go Jem Go”, the gamble paid off and I moved us up in the top quarter of the peloton, unfortunately on the gutter side! The last 1km was trying to move up and avoid parked cars at the same time (I’m becoming very good at this now: just breathe in and think thin). By the last right hand corner into the finishing straight (500m to go) I had us in a good position, we gave it all and Davina finished 4th (nearly the podium) and I got 11th (max speed 58.1km.h). Chloe Hosking won. A very good end to the New Zealand racing.
So it’s been a great break since NZ; beach wine ice cream; plenty of physio on the hammy and isch and presently holding together. Had a tester at Bathurst a few weeks ago and whilst there was no real power in the legs things are looking hopeful.
I’ll find out what I’ve got in me this coming weekend with coach and Co when it is on to the mtb and the dreaded Cadgee out the back of Eurobodalla 6km to 550m
