Finally- I can write to you with a podium result… 3rd today, it was nice
to get through a race without any bad luck! I can say, I was starting to
feel all that Dutch racing, repetitive chasing and chaotic stress in my
legs during today’s race… but the power was actually pretty ok in the
sprint!
The race started with a hilly section until the 50km point, we all (Lotto
Honda Team) rode near the front through the hills- Cherise had a mishap on
one of the climbs (damaged rear wheel) but managed to rejoin the group
after 5km’s of chasing.
Soon after the hilly section a break of 5 riders formed- we didn’t have
anyone in the break as we were planning for a sprint finish. The break was
well represented by the stronger teams- so when the break got out to 1
minute 45 seconds at the 85km mark we felt/were responsible to start
chasing. Cherise and Vicki had some assistance from Cola-Vita (Team of
current World Champ- Bronzini). They strung the bunch out and brought the
group back together with 25km’s to go.
It was now up to me to stay at the front and position myself for the
sprint. It was AA Drink (Team of Kirsten Wild) who took control of the
race/lead-out with 5km’s to go.
I was well positioned on Wild’s wheel with 200m’s to go and as Ina past on
the left with lightening speed I kicked to the right… maybe a little a
late ☹
1. Ina Teutenberg
2. Kirsten Wild
3. Rochelle Gilmore
4. Giorgia Bronzini
It was a successful day for the Lotto Honda Team with another podium in
Belgium; Ludivine Henrion was 3rd in Halle- Buizingen UCI 1.2
At the same race Sofie De Vuyst took the leaders jersey in the Lotto Cup
classification and Ashleigh Moolman Pasio won the sprints jersey.
Tomorrow I’ll be photographed in a studio at Den Haag for one of Holland’s
largest cycling magazine- Wilierevue.
Next Race: Roeselare UCI 1.1 Belgium. 24/04/2011
More soon,
Rochelle
www.rochellegilmore.com
Photo credit: jxpphotography.com and rochellegilmore.com
