The race was about 120km long.  It was made up of two 34km circuits, followed by three smaller 17km loops.  The large circuits had a gradual, 5km climb.  While the small circuits had a harder but shorter 2-3k climb.  In general, the pace was pretty fast, and the overall wear and tear of the race steadily caused numerous casualties.  By the end, there were only about 90 finishers. 

The winning move went down on the first of the three small circuits.  Emma Pooley, a talented British rider, attacked.  She was off solo.  Then two more riders tried to go across.  I was sensing a dangerous move, so I tried to jump across to the two.  This only caused the two riders to be swallowed up by the bunch while Emma increased her solo lead.  I knew Emma was dangerous, especially after what she did at Thuringen last year.  However, I wasn’t too worried since there was still about 50km to go, and there were some strong teams with riders capable of winning.  I thought there would eventually be an organized chase, but nothing ensued.  By the start of the third lap, Emma’s lead was fairly solid, and she was soloing on to a beautiful victory.  Behind her, there was action for the last two podium spots on the final climb.  Cantelle, Brandli, and then Bastianelli attacked.  I followed the first two, but when the third went, I was feeling my lack of race fitness.  I was with the small group close behind, though.  And since this group kept riding, the group of three attackers never really had a dangerous gap.  We picked them up just outside of 5k to go.  Then, we were picked up from behind by another small group.  This 24 rider bunch went to the finish together.  I looked for opportunities along the way, but the slight downhill and the leadouts kept things too fast for anybody to try to bust out.  At the finish, I was never in the sprint and finished in 22nd.  It wasn’t a stellar day, but for me, it was a solid start. 

What a whirlwind of 24-28 hours!  It was great to be back with the team and to race.  We are motivated.  Loes M already has an early season victory, while the rest of the crew is looking to add to that fast. 

The race gave me the chance to see Loes G, Loes M, Iris, Suzanne, and Anita.  However, since the two Loes’ and Iris stayed in Italy for a training camp with the Dutch Federation, it was only Jean Paul, Anita, Suzanne V, and I who traveled together back.  And although the car ride was long, the views of the ALPS and lakes while in Switzerland were spectacular, the company and conversation were outstanding, and the continuously falling snowflakes were mesmerizing.  Each of which captured the attention of my jetlagged mind, making the trip back a little easier.