A couple of weeks
after returning to Asheville we set off to Charlotte, NC for the Presbyterian Hospital Invitational
Criterium. There was a team of 6 of us, the less experienced ‘new
comers’ with no sprinters. So was going to be a good race to practice some
solid team work!
The race is known for
its huge prize purse and amazing atmosphere. It was a pretty technical course
with 8 sharp turns and a lot of cash primes so the pressure was on from the
start, then stayed on for the rest of the race.
The team rode great.
Unfortunately Lex had been hit with a cold a week before the race and she was
coughing up phlegm most of the way. She managed to hold on and finish with the
bunch so was an awesome effort. My left leg was in a lot of pain for the first
3 quarters of the race, had trouble even pedalling at times so the race seemed
to go on forever. I think I had straped it too tight so half way through I
ripped off the tape and through it at my manager, I was not in a good mood.
With one lap to go the plan was to do something if the bunch was together. So I
angrily got to the front and did a 100% win or blow attack. Unfortunately it went
the blow side but I did get a good gap for just under half a lap and some of
the lead out girls had to sacrifice that to chase me down. I then did the blow
part and waved the bunch goodbye as I attempted to pedal to the finish line.
Jade powered to the finish in 4th place against the top sprinters in
the country.
Emma and Annie rode a
super strong race and Anna did some awesome attacks at the start. So all in all
a great team effort. We may not have got on the podium but we learnt heaps
which is all super beneficial for the next race.
After the race, having a quick de-brief.
The 6 of us are now
heading back to Asheville for the week for some training and then off to
Alabama for the Sunny King Criterium and Foothills Road Race. Looking forward
to it!
Will stay in touch =)
Courteney
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