Athens Circuit Race – 27 April 2003

The Athens circuit was held at Horse Park, the venue used for the mountain bike events for the Atlanta Olympics.  I was anticipating a hilly technical circuit but instead the 3.5km circuit used was the entrance road to the park.  The road was 2 lanes wide with a U turn at either end.  The course included a few gradual climbs with a significant descent to the finish line.

My legs felt much better today as yesterday’s twilight criterium got rid of all that stiffness.  Our plan was to race aggressively however we were a marked team and Diet Rite and Victory Amoroso were quick to cover our attacks and but were not willing to work.  Their plan was obviously to keep things together for their sprinters.

I attacked on bell lap up the long gradual climb.  I grabbed a 50m gap but riding into a headwind with the field in hot pursuit, I was caught with 2km to go.

Nicole Freedman (Basis) was leading out her teammate and I was completely focused on sitting 3rd wheel to set myself up for the sprint.  However, my plan failed when Shannon Hutchinson (Colavita-Bolla) attacked down the right side immediately before the crest of the hill, with 6 girls on her wheel.  I jumped across into 8th spot and saw Anne well positioned behind Hutchinson.

With such a fast descent to the finish line it is usually the lead rider over the hill that holds on to win which is exactly what Hutchinson did.  My position left me out of contention and I had to settle for 8th while Anne had bike troubles which prevented her from getting into her top gear, leaving her 4th overall.

1             Shannon Hutchinson (Colavita-Bolla)
4             Anne Samplonius   TDS
8             Helen Kelly           TDS