Le grand tour du Montreal – Stage 1 – 110km circuit race

Today we raced stage 1 of the Le grande tour du Montreal.  The course was a new addition to the tour and after studying the circuit in the race bible, I knew that we were in for a hard race.

The course was mostly flat p around the region of Châteauguay to the south of Montreal.  We raced 8 laps of a 13km circuit which contained 32 corners per lap.  To best describe the course would be to imagine a toddler trying to draw a circle for the first time with a big crayon.  It wiggled and weaved in every direction.  Also, the pavement was badly cracked and there were metal circular man holes strategically placed on most corners.  The final ingredient in today’s race was the rain.  The weatherman predicted a 30% chance of rain which meant that it definitely rained.  It drizzled several times and for most of the race the course was wet, muddy and slippery.

Knowing that the course would be fast, as soon as the race started, I put my Orbea in the 53×12 and drilled it to the very front.  I have learnt that it is better to do this than to fight for 2 laps to get to the front later.  I settled in on the front and got the legs warmed up.

My legs felt amazingly fresh and I have to say I love racing in these conditions.  When the course is technical and it is raining and windy, I feel like a pig in mud.  I know it really helps that I completely trust our mechanic, Bernard for preparing our bikes for us.  Also the Eastern deep-dish carbon wheels are fantastic to race on and I love them in all conditions.

Contrary to my happiness was the look of discontent on Rach’s face.  I asked her after about 4 laps how she was going and the expression on her face was priceless.  She looked like an American tasting vegemite for the first time!!

At the end of the 3^rd and 5^th lap at the finish line, there were intermediate sprints for bonus seconds and points.  There was an unbelievable battle amongst teams Tmobile, expresscopy, Colavita, Nurnberger, Safi Pasta and Webcor for these bonus seconds on offer.  Christine maintained great position in the top 20 and it was my job to help lead her out for these sprints.  With many top international sprinters in the field, Christine fought well but the points were scooped up by tmobile and Nurnberg.

The peloton was completely strung out for most of the race.  Katheryn, Rach and I followed countless attacks and also initiated a few attacks but it was quickly evident that nothing was going to escape today.  Christine rode a smart race and followed a dangerous attack by former world champion, Judith Arndt (tmobile).  I took the next corner like a complete nuff-nuff to help open a gap to her.  I was hoping a break would develop but too many teams were not represented and it was soon groupo compacto (all together).

I was curious to see what my Polar data showed after the race.  Although the average speed was only 39km/hr due to the number of corners, most sections of the course were raced at 50-550km/hr.  During a big effort to follow a threatening attack in the first lap, I hit 61km/hr.  And to Merry, our soigneur, she continues to do an amazing job with her 100% water bottle delivery success rate, in a fast flat feed zone.  She stands 5ft tall but she doesn’t even flinch when we come in for a bottle at 50km/hr.

After having great legs for most of the race, I wish I could say that Webcor achieved a result today but it wasn’t too be.  I narrowly missed coming down with 3km to go as the battle for the sprint commenced.  Each team fought to get their sprinter into position at any cost.  With 1km to go I was way too far back and knew we had no chance of a result.  In the dash for the line and the tour leader’s yellow jersey, Regina Schleicher (Nürnberger) edged out Oenone Wood (tmobile), with Giorgia Bronzini (Safi – Pasta Zara Manhattan) finishing 3^rd.

We all finished safely in the main peloton.  So our plan is head back to the University of Montreal for some rest and to prepare for stage 2.  And with more rain forecast, I know Rach will be up early doing an anti rain dance.  Stay tuned for tomorrows results.