At the same time, though, it is a super special race, and it ends with a climb.  I always think I have a chance, and I am always going for it.  Anything can happen when you are bike racing!  You never know when you might have that super special moment.

Before I go into the race, as part of my update, I will mention that I raced the Bundesliga in Gunzach on Sunday.  It was my first ever “Bundesliga” race, and it was fun to ride hard to help the team put Bianca in the yellow Nϋrnberger/Bundesliga race series jersey.  It also provided a glimpse of how well Hausler from Cervelo was riding. 

After those weekend travels (Nϋrnberg to Gunzäch and back,) we moved to Helmenzen for a one night stopover, before traveling to our race hotel in Liege on Tuesday.  (Hotels 4, 5, and 6 if you are counting.) After arriving in Liege, I scrambled off to get in a ride, have a late lunch, and get a quick massage, before we had to go again.  The team presentation was in Huy, where every year there is a big event in the town center.  The curious in the village and the devoted cycling fans gather around the big stage while a band plays and the teams are formally introduced.  Thankfully, this is usually a quick process, i.e. get in, line up, go on stage, wave and smile, and then back to the hotel.

Now the race:  The women’s race followed the final 100km of the men’s race and finished on the famous Muur de Huy.  The first 40km’s were mostly uneventful, and my goal for this portion of the race was to stay safe.  Every year there are bad crashes, and this year was no exception.  Once we hit the climbs, the action started.  Trixie made a good attack and took three others up the road.  This looked promising.  Then, another small group went across.   Basically, everyone was represented but the World Cup leader Johansson.  I had my eyes on her, and when she went across on the next climb, both my teammate Eva and I followed her.  This was a solid group, but it was still a bit early, and with no cohesion, it was not going anywhere. 

The next major move involved the Germans Keller and Hausler.  Since we knew how well Hausler was riding, we knew how dangerous that break was.  Although it was not our sole responsibility to bring it back, we did.  Some people may question the tactic, but I kind of like the fact that we took the risk of riding.    

The final major break of the day came on the climb before the Huy where “La Lupa” (Luperini) was very active.  Three times she tried to get away, but each time there was a small group of about 5 of us that followed.  Since no one kept the gas on, it never formalized.  Another small group came back, and at the top, there were 12 of us.  All teams were represented here, but again there were only cat and mouse attacks and no organized riding.  Nothing went away, and the chasing bunch came from behind. 

There were about 40 (?) starting the downhill with 5km to go.  Except for the final km, the last 5km’s are downhill and really fast.  It is always such a fight for the front, but I found it just before the 1km to go mark.  Then, Eva found me and took me under the banner and through the first right corner.  I could feel her slowing a bit, and I knew I either had to commit or risk being swallowed up from behind.  I attacked…  AND… for a moment… I had a gap, and I was smelling the finish line of Fleche… But then a group with Vos, Johansson, Hausler, and Cantelle caught me and countered in the left corner with 500m to go.  Ouch.  I couldn’t go with them.  I fought hard, and picked Cantelle off, but I ran out of room.  The others were super good, and I couldn’t match the second acceleration.  I went for it early, and I would rather have tried and failed, then to have wondered what if?   I still ended up with a 4^th in one of the most famous world cups, a good result none the less, just not quite the podium.

My team Nϋrnberger was very good on the day.  Really good actually.  We displayed excellent team work again.  I was disappointed not to have landed on the podium for their efforts, but I gave it everything I had.    

This weekend, I will do a local German race that is very close to our sponsor’s headquarters.  It will be another day to help the young ones.  Then, next week, I head off to the Czech Republic for the Grazie Orlová Tour.  I will drop you another update then.

Best,