Superweek women's update #10

Hello All,

Its really late and this took way too long to get out due to some team business that needed to be attended to so I apologize for the brevity.

Today was a FAST "road race" through a botanical garden with a few rolling hills, one sharp left hand turn to the final climb and about 250m to the line from the top of the climb. I was surprised at how fast we were charging through the course. I cant remember, but I think we did 14 laps and after the first 2 i looked down and it had only been 11 minutes. I put road race in quotations because this was more like a crit on steroids.

There were a few breaks up the road throughout the race with Julia and myself taking turns trying to get into. We made t he wrong choices though and missed the winning break, but whatever it was only 2 girls up the road. There was still a podium in the field. The circuits went through in a blur and before I knew it there were only 3 laps left. My only goal at this point was to stay near the front the last lap since that's what I've been having trouble with.

On the descent with one lap to go I see a blur flying up the left hand side and start to panic then relax when I realize that it is no one other than our own Jen Jo. Thankful to see some friendly legs going up the road I simply traveled up the right hand side that had opened up. Once she got caught I found myself first wheel and decided to try to just sit at the front so I didn't have to mess around with the slowing up and bunching of the field. I tried to keep the pace quick and on the last little hill before the finishing climb someone attacked left and it was all I could do to slot back in and not lose any more places.

I pushed as hard as I could up the final climb and passed a few girls for 16th place. Not in the money yet, but much better than previous races so I guess I'll take it :)

Jen Jo and Julia finished right behind me with the group and I even had two individual riders come up to me after the race saying that we had some strong girls on our team. What a compliment! Especially from the ladies out here who, I swear, have motors for legs.

Had a team meeting this evening to discuss tactics among other things. Hopefully tomorrow shall be a good day-we have some things up our sleeves so stay posted!

Good night all! Thank you for reading and thank you for all the support!

Best,
Lauren