Race Diary Ange McClure: Trentino Stage 1

Today was an 85k stage, which involved a 12k climb (6k was neutral) don’t ask why it’s just how they do it here in Italy. Then it was a downhill run into the finish with another 1k climb at 55k mark.

The race starting with a climb sent my heart rate through the roof and the legs feeling like they were about to explode. I thought to myself  ‘everyone was in the same pain boat so just hang as long as you can’. And hang I did, I continued to keep ‘hanging’ over the top and flew down the decent to secure myself safely in the peloton. At the bottom of the decent there where 20 or so girls up the road then there was the peloton. With most teams represented it could have fallen either way in terms of letting that group go or bridging the gap. Garmin called the shot to close the gap and soon enough we were one big happy family. The second climb saw the peloton strung out again, but everyone regaining contact with a decent to follow. The peloton continued to roll along and it was pretty relaxed with everyone getting ready for the sprint. Despite efforts from everyone in the team we couldn’t get a girl amongst the sprint.

Tomorrow is another hard stage 86 k flattish until the end where we complete two loops of a 8ish k drag/climb.

Trentino Stage 2

As we departed our hotel for the 40min drive to the start line of today’s stage the wind was hollowing and the skies were grey, we were in for an interesting stage. The 50 or so flattish start to this stage was fast with the wind, and attention was paramount to not be caught out in the wind and find you out the back.  After a few head down, bum up moments the odd check to make sure that the girl in front of me hadn’t dropped the wheel we arrived to the two loops of the climb. My team had worked hard to get in the early moves of the day but with nothing sticking in was my job to give it my all on the climb.

On the climb it was another ‘hang fest’ for me trying to hold strong tempo and not blow up on the first lap. The climb strung everyone out with the high flyers being in a league of their own ahead of everyone. Everything started to gather back together on the decent but it wasn’t long and the 2^nd lap started. At this stage I was between the lead group and the cars, I soon found a group to finish out the stage.  My plan didn’t go exactly to plan with 2k from the finish wet road and white strips saw me come to a sliding stop. The adrenaline pumping and not wanting to concede time I pulled my bike from the man that collected it from the ditch and it was on and up.

The top saw a grab for warm clothes, a quick stich up and in the car before the rain was about to set in.

Our leader Andrea managed 19^th on the stage.

Trentino stage 3

Looking at the profile the night before of this short stage was going to tough from the gun. With a 30k gradual climb which featured some steep sections followed by rolling terrain for 45k.

The stage started with a sketchy downhill ‘neutral section’ aka get to the front before all hell breaks loose. Then the official race begun, and I was in trouble from the start of the climb. The peloton started to space out and I found myself in the cars trying to ‘keep it together’ hoping for the moment when my legs were going to get better. The moment never came. After the climb I found myself in groupetto to the finish.

All results can be found following this link. http://www.girotrentinodonne.it/

It sounds strange to say this being June, but this was my first stage race for the year, up to this point it’s been all one day races compared to last year when I was America and racing stage races and back to back days was common. It’s good to have the first one under the belt and now for the Women's Giro the most extreme stage race of all.!

Follow my team Kleo Ladies Team on Face book .http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kleo-Ladies-Professional-UCI-Cycling-Team/158988474155359

Also my blog with all the happenings of my first season in Europe.

http://angelamcclure.blogspot.com/

Thanks for read

Ange