Gotta be flexible...

On a team, sometimes plans change and you just have to be flexible. When we had pre-ridden the course, we made a mistake and accidentally rode the old course, not the new one that includes a 3k climb. The race had 6 laps, so with the three climbs, it totaled 5 k or so of climbing on each lap and we had not realized that. While we were off riding the wrong course, Jim was driving the right course. He realized that it was not a good course for me and would be much better suited for Chrissy, who is a much better climber. He broke the news to me shortly after I posted my blog that there would be a change in the starting line-up. Of course it was a big disappointment for me since I really wanted to race, but I knew that it really was the right decision. Once I saw the course the next day, it became really clear that I would not have been able to contribute and it would have been pointless to have me there. It sucked, but I understand completely. I just did what I could do and made the best of it.

I had a great ride: I rode out to the course and did two laps before the team started to race. I then took off and explored around the French countryside and found a few little magical towns that just seem too unreal... crumbling rock walls and creeping geraniums over ancient barns that co-mingle with cars and the rest of modern life. It was beautiful. I really did enjoy myself.

I then rode back to watch my teammates race and cheer them on. If you are not going to race, at least you get the bonus of watching the race! Man... watching them suffer, I knew that it was the right decision! It was a hard day for the US team... Chrissy had a flat on a downhill on her front wheel, but managed to survive and get back on. But with how fast that course was, it was hard work. Alison crashed, not hard, but with enough delay that her race was effectively ruined... Kori, Kathryn and Lauren were in the lead group, but were unable to bring back the winning break. After a heroic effort to bring back the break for Kathryn, Lauren got popped and finished just behind the front group. Kori had bridged up to the break before the one that stuck and was not able to make the last selection... and Kathryn was not able to get away on the final climb.

It was tough out there and not one of the races that would have suited me. It is frustrating at times to be a sprinter- a climber can always help on any race. They can help on the flats and can give a lead out. But for me... there are a ton of races where I simply can’t be of any help. I feel useless and it sucks (for lack of a better word). I really want to help, but sometimes, I can’t. If I can get a bottle handed off, I have done my job. As I get stronger, I know that I will be able to help more, but there will always be some races where I have to work to set up my climber and let her do the rest of it herself. That is a bummer.

Now, I am sitting in a hotel room in Holland and getting ready for the tour tomorrow. We start out with a hellish climbing stage- 4 circuits and several big climbs on each lap... including the one that Amstel-Gold Classic finished on when we were here for Flesche in the Spring. It is going to hurt, but I feel good and excited to suffer! Perhaps I am a bit sick in the head since I like to hurt... we will see how well I can hurt tomorrow!