Ronde van Gelderland UCI 1.2 Apeldoorn, Holland. 137km’s.
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