McLane Pacific Cycling Classic – 23^rd March 2003

Course: 4 x 24 mile laps (154km)

Conditions: Miserable rain and crosswinds – 55F

A cold wet day

On Sunday, we were up at 6am and watched the skies become overcast as we drove out to the race start.  Soon the heavens had opened up and we both pulled on our purple TDS raincoats which kept us dry.  The big question was now to decide how many layers of clothing to wear during the race.  The rain continued to get heavier and I pulled out two SockGuy base layers, knee warmers and booties to wear during the race.

It rained steadily during the first 2 hours of the race and we were soon completely drenched and covered in grease and oil from the road, as well as sand and mud.  Although I wore Rudy Project red lens glasses my eyes were soon stinging from the grime that was being kicked up from the wheel in front.  I can honestly say that we weren’t having a particularly pleasant time.

The first 24 mile lap was really fast and although I hadn’t warmed up, my legs felt good and I covered a lot of early moves.  A duo break containing (Lyn Bessette) Saturn and a T Mobile rider formed on the 2^nd lap.  I bridged across solo to it, but everything soon regrouped.  Almost immediately, Manon Jutras (Saturn) attacked, along with Laura Van Gilder (Saturn), Mari Holden, Kristin Armstrong (T-mobile), Cybil Diguistini (Diet Rite), and Sarah Tillotson (ABP). After my solo effort I didn’t have the legs to go again, and I watched in disappointment as the 6 riders went up the road without a TDS rider in it.  Joan’s legs felt terrible today and without a warm up she wasn’t haven’t a brilliant day.

By the end of the 2^nd lap both Joan and I started to feel miserable.  I was getting cold and we both had headaches.  We rode another lap and then called it a day.  Unfortunately, after being mentioned as a pre race favourite in a McLane Pacific race preview article on www.dailypeloton.com, I didn’t even finish the race!

I didn’t stay around to watch the finish but apparently Jutras (Saturn) attacked Holden in the final lap to take line honours while Van Gilder finished 3^rd.  During the drive to Fairfield, I developed a sore throat, my head still ached and my sinuses are still congested but with a few days rest, I hope I will be ready to race Solano.

Results:
1^st Manon Jutras (Saturn)
2^nd Mari Holden (T Mobile)
3^rd Laura Van Gilder (Saturn)