Stage 9 – 13 July 2003 – 24km

I was so happy to wake up and realise that after today I could have a rest.  I wouldn’t have to force down food, I could sleep in and even have a day off!!!

The time trial started in Mira and ended in Venezia (Venice).  I spent 45 minutes on the trainer, trying to coax my legs into going hard one last time.  I had jumped into so many breaks yesterday that they just wouldn’t respond today.  I rode as hard as I could and finished 4mins down on the winner.

Trine Hanson (Team SATS) rode like an absolute steam train and finished 8th, only 43 seconds behind the winner.   So with another top 10 result for our team, we finished off the Giro with another successful day.  Riding into Venice was amazing.  The final 2km took us along narrow paths beside one of the canals.  After recovering at the finish line for several minutes, we returned to our team cars by boat.

After some team photos, and a 2 hour sight-seeing tour of Venice, we loaded up the cars and headed back our hotel for a celebration dinner. We all had a few wines and relaxed into the night with yet another great Italian meal.  The following day we paid a visit to the team’s bike sponsor, Pinerello, before commencing the 20 hour commute to Copenhagen.  I slept on and off but was most relieved to reach the ferry terminal between Germany and Denmark in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

I am now resting up in Copenhagen and getting ready to ride the Tour de France with Team SATS.  I am a little nervous but so excited to be riding such a prestigious race.  I hope the alps aren’t too painful and look forward to the flat, windy days that will be more suited to me.

Until then, au revoir

Helen.