Blog
Dubai; End of Season Holiday 13th-21st of October.
Many people often ask me-what do you do for fun? I appear to be a very serious person so I read this question as- you seem to be a little boring!
The thing is, I am a very serious person especially during the race season and when talking business. But, I do have my fair share of fun! I’ll tell you in a minute what I do for fun but first….
While I was competing at the Commonwealth Games my mother who lives in Dubai was very sick. My step father David was there at the hospital everyday and while mum’s condition was not improving after one week in hospital, I was told she might not make it through… but once again, the tough cookie survived another scary battle.
When I arrived in Dubai a couple of days after the Commonwealth Games mum was released from Hospital and only needed to return for half days. The first thing I did with Mum was sat down and watched the end of the Commonwealth Games race on YouTube.
Commonwealth Games Delhi, India
I’d firstly like to apologise to all of you for my lack of updates during the past 8 weeks. I’ve been very dedicated to preparing for my 3rd Commonwealth Games (over 8 years) and this meant less time on my computer and more time training and recovering.
I finished 2nd in 2002 and again in 2006 (both medals were on the track in the points race). This year I have been focusing on the Commonwealth Games road race and prepared specifically for the flat 112km race in Delhi, India.
I was fortunate to have such a strong Australian team on Sunday who were able to neutralise all attacks and break-away attempts by the Kiwi’s and Brit’s. It was my task to shadow Nicole Cooke until the last 10km, and then I would take the wheel of Australia’s young sprinter- Chloe Hosking. Australia had another 4 riders (still active in the bunch) during the final 10km’s to cover Cooke and any other strong moves.
Lotto Ladies are now on top!
On the 30th of July Sofie De Vuyst won the 1.NE race in Bambrugge Belgium.
Lago Ceresio, Ponte Tresa, Varese
Grace Verbeke took a solo win at the Erondegem 1.NE race in Belgium last Friday and then she backed it up with another big win at the Valkenburg Hills Classic on Sunday.
Lotto’s newest signing; Australia’s Tiffany Cromwell managed an impressive 2nd place in Germany at the Sparkassen Giro 1.1 race.
That’s some impressive results but what about me? Read More
Lotto Ladies- back on the podium!
Podium
Last week I was 2nd in the UCI race in Cento Italy. Kim Schoonbaert was 3rd in Maarkedal Belgium and Grace Verbeke won the Mountains jersey in the UCI tour of Limousin, France.
Grand Prix de Cento Carnevale d’Europa Feminin was held on the 17th of July in 40 degree heat. The course in Cento Ferarra is a flat sprinters course with a total of 10m vertical ascent which is gained on the two bridges passing over the river. The race is 11 laps of a 10km circuit. There is a total of 10km’s of cobbled sections including the 500m’s into the finish- this tends to favour the older, stronger sprinters.
Post Giro d’Italia Recovery
Home: Transacqua,Trento. Northern Italy.
Stinging!
After crashing hard on stage two at the 2010 Giro d’Italia I was determined to fight hard and continue. I did question why I would consider throwing my leg over my bike when I couldn’t even dress myself or brush my own hair etc but for some reason, we do crazy things!
I was fortunate to crash the day before the TT so I was able to complete the 17km the following day.