1 June 2003 – Clarendon Cup, Arlington

Today’s race was a technical 1km anti clockwise circuit with 5 corners.  The winds were gusting at 40km/hr which made it an adrenalin filled raced as we all braced hard to avoid getting blown off the bike.  On one occasion I was blown across a 3 lane street and almost into the barriers.

I warmed up with Emily on the back streets around the circuit and felt quite ordinary.  I needed a good few days off.  The crash had left me feeling sore all over and I hadn’t slept well in the past few nights.

I rode near Teutenberg (Saturn) again and went with her early attack.  I sat on and watched as Laura Van Gilder (Saturn) did a great counter attack.  I bridged across to Laura and we quickly put 25 seconds into the peloton.  Laura was riding strongly and pulling hard turns.  I was suffering and struggling to get any protection behind her.  My legs felt like bricks and I just couldn’t turn the pedals.  I was completely out of gas.

After 10km, it was obvious I wasn’t able to do my share of the work in the break, and Laura dropped me on a corner and continued on alone to lap the field and take out the Clarendon Cup title.  When the announcer saw that I had been dropped, he initially thought I had a mechanical problem.  However, once he saw my face and posture on the bike he decided I was having a ‘bio-mechanical’.

Whilst I had been in the break, Emily and Joan had both got dropped.  Just as I sat up and went back to the peloton, they had time trialled themselves back to the group.  We spent the remainder of the race, trying to hide from the wind and to follow any significant attacks.

Teutenberg attacked with 5 laps to go and only Magen Long (Oklahoma Bicycle) managed to go with her.  The two of them stayed away to fill the remaining podium positions, while Emily, Joan and I all finished just outside the top 10.  Now, I am off to visit a friend in New Jersey and get a few days of well deserved rest, before the Wachovia Liberty Classic next Sunday.

Results:

1 Laura Van Gilder (USA) Saturn
2 Ina Teutenberg (Ger) Saturn
3 Magen Long (USA) Oklahoma Bicycle