Fitchburg Tour 2001

Thursday 29th June
Stage 1	20km Individual time trial	Conditions: 30°C, windy

The legs were still sore from the HP. Three days just isn't enough time to recover from 1000km of racing. It was over 30°C and quite windy. I time trialled as best as I could, finishing 34th. I was 4mins 55sec down on Lyn Bessette (Saturn). I have a lot of time to make up so hopefully the legs will feel better tomorrow.

Friday 30th June
Stage 2	40 mile circuit race	Conditions: 25°C

Today we rode a 5km circuit 13 times in humid but cooler conditions - 25°C. The start / finish line was almost at the crest of a really steep 1km climb on Pearl st. Just trying to clip in at the start was quite tricky as it was hard to get any momentum on the hill and with 60 girls cramped together added to the challenge. The clockwise circuit was fast, with a descent through a narrow street after the climb, followed by a long slightly undulating straight section on John Fitch Highway, before another right hand corner into Pearl st, the climb. The climb flattened slightly and then rose very steeply to the finish. Certainly a small chain ring hill. I was using my 21 and 23 towards the end.

The race was controlled by Saturn and RONA cycling teams. Being an individual this suited me perfectly, as I didn't have to chase down the attacks. I sat on Lyne Bessette's wheel and followed her every move. My legs felt quite ordinary so I positioned right in the front at the base of each climb to avoid being dropped. After 3 or 4 laps, I warmed up well and felt good. I contested some of the QOM sprints but finished about 5th each time.

The bunch stayed together the entire race. I was 3rd coming around the final corner to sprint the hill for the final times. I maintained position until it steepened up and then died in the legs. I finished 14th. There was no change to GC - (34th).

Saturday 1st July
Stage 3	69 mile road race	Conditions: 30+°C, hot

Today was a hot one, 95°F plus, which is well into the 30°C. It was also extremely humid with a bit of wind about.

The course was an 18km loop which we did 6 times, followed by a climb to the summit of Mt Wassuchett. Each loop contained about 8km of climbing, one really steep and badly damaged descent where we hit speeds of 75-80km/hr and the remainder of the loop being undulating. There were 3 noticeble climbs in each loop - 2 being gradual climbs of 1km each, while the 3rd was an absolute leg burner. It was steep and unforgiving. It turned right at 90 degrees after 1km and continued for another 1.5km. I climbed it in the 24 (standing) although my legs were still pretty sore from yesterday's circuit race, the T/T and the Women's Challenge.

Lyne and Genevieve attacked on our first lap up the steep section. I went with them and got into a break of about 12. The main bunch caught us on lap 2 and on lap 3, Genevieve, Lyn and Sue Palmer got away together. Our bunch, slowed down by Saturn and RONA was almost doing a Sunday Latte pace. Sue attacked Lyne and Genevieve and went solo. So Lyne and Genevieve sat up and our bunch caught them on lap 5. Now Saturn and RONA were both driving the pack hard to close the time gap established by Sue and I just sat in for a free ride. We were doing 60 - 75km/hr along the undulating section, admittedly with a tailwind but we caught a break away group from the Pro Men and flew past them.

As I predicted, Lyne and Genevieve attacked on our last climb before the mountain, and I didn't have the legs to stay with them. I was left in the second bunch about 500m off them. The mountain climb was 3km but exceptionally steep. I stood nearly the whole way in my 24 and 27 gearring. My legs were screaming with pain. I moved up 13 places on GC after today and am now 21st in GC. Genevieve beat Lyne, however Lyne retains the overall lead.

Sunday 2nd July
Stage 4	25 mile criterium	Conditions: 30+°C, hot

Today was 89°F, about 30°C with my rough conversion method. It was really humid though, so it felt just as hot as yesterday. I hadn't slept well, due mainly to the soreness in my legs waking me up every time I rolled over, so I was feeling quite fatigued. After an hours ride after breakfast, and 40mins on the windtrainer as my warmup I still felt tired. I knew I just had to tough it out and stay in the bunch to maintain my GC position. The attacks were constant, as Genevieve was 39sec down and was keen to win the tour. Saturn again chased every attack while my focus was to just stay near the front of the bunch. No attacks stayed away and it came down to a strung out bunch finish on a slight uphill into a really strong headwind.

Lyne Bessette maintained her lead, winning the tour. I remained in 21st position for the tour. I had hope for 20th however missed out by about 18 seconds.