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| Holme Valley Wheelers Stage 1 - 10m TT edrollasonphotography.co.uk |
Having finished the TT I can’t say I was pleased with my
performance regardless of the time I had clocked. Whether it was a subconscious
effort to save my legs or something else, I knew I could have gone faster.
Looking through my Garmin data at home suggests I was right, but there is
always something you can improve on. I must stress that this annoyance isn’t
what some would call sour grapes, but more something that always happens when I
feel I haven’t done my best. After every TT I always go through where I could
have gone better, and I can see there were points where I could have been
quicker. This was however good motivation for the road race later... As one of
my friends kept saying to me “what are you going to do?” To which I replied,
“I’m going to win”.
After a shower, food and rest (thanks Cat!) We returned for
the second stage. Anyone who knows me knows I struggle with nerves, sometimes
are worse than others, this time I felt physically sick but as soon as the lead
car moved off my nerves started to fade. My plan was to stay near the front and
at some point, make an effort to get the 16s back for the GC. I have to say I
didn’t think my race going that well, VC had three strong riders in the race
and they covered the early breaks well. The course was hilly and any break
would be torture, going too early would be out of the question. As we started
the final lap a group of about 9 did get away for a time, and I was hoping we
had the upper hand as we had two maxgearettes in against only Ness from VC. Amy
Gornall from Scott Contessa started to attack slowly of the front, this put me
in a tricky position, as gaining too little time from Ness with Amy would only
serve to move Eve down the table, so we’d have to fully commit to any move. I
followed Amy when the pace picked up along the hills, but we couldn’t get
clear.
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| edrollasonphotography.co.uk |
At some point the bunch came back together, (apparently
driven by tiny but super-strong Alice Cobb).
At this point I knew a break wouldn’t get away, I’d have to go all out
for the stage win. The latter part of
the course I knew played to my strengths; a consistent long incline over a
couple of kilometres which turned at a junction, continued to rise round a
corner onto the long uphill finish. I made sure I was at the front of the group
for the climb, and saw Nic from VC on my right. I knew I was marked so a full
on effort wouldn’t work. After making sure I wasn’t blocked in, I slowly increased
the pace with one rider in front of me doing the same. I kept behind her until just before the first
corner, when I increased the effort further and passed her.... and kept on
going. I glanced over my shoulder, saw I
was in the lead, but the group although strung out was still there. I kept
going, increasing the pace further round the final corner onto the finish
climb. I waited and saw Ness starting to move up. I toyed with the Idea of
letting her lead it out, but I knew she only needed a bunch finish so I kicked
for an early sprint to avoid being swallowed up. I moved left, glanced over my
shoulder and I had two bike lengths! I kept on going hoping I wouldn’t blow up,
oblivious to what was happening around me, apart from that I was in front. No one
had passed me! I punched for the air, trying for some sort of celebration
(another area for improvement). Breathing like a train, I couldn’t believe I
had won and to be quite honest it didn’t sink in until later that evening.
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It was a shame we couldn’t take the G.C. but second overall,
second on the first stage and my first road race win is still my best result so
far. It was also nice to get Eve 4th overall and the young rider
trophy for all the work she put in.
It was good to race against groups of women who race as teams, and
the whole race showed just how strong women’s racing is getting all round.
Thanks go to the organisers for a very well organised race.
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