36 girls were on the start line for the Tour ta Malta. I was in the programme as Wyndy Milla although I entered as Pearson CC and raced in the Pearson kit! They became my pink cousins and were very supportive, as I was to them.
Day 1: 25km TT
Not a lover of TTs these days, I had a go and gave it my best shot on the back of the Hog Hill/Fleet half weekend. 23rd, a bit disappointing, but fair. One of the Mule Bar girls couldn't count laps and ended up with a very slow time, that had to stick since she only went through the finish line on her final lap. Glad I can count! Eliena Eggl won from Rachel Armitage. (London Dynamo!)
Day 2: 60km, hilly road race. (6 laps, 6 climbs.)
Nothing to lose and Julie, my American Wyndy Milla cousin (very experienced road racer in the US), suggested we own the race and attack and counter attack. Julie attacked first, didn't get a huge gap, was brought back. I decided to attack as soon as she was caught. Massive gap, out of sight, had lead car, motor bikes, very exciting. Tried not to try too hard but after a few minutes (5?) I was back in the bunch and struggling a little. Tanya Hunt attacked a little later (another cousin), she stayed away for two and a half laps with another rider.
Each lap the hill separated everyone out. I lost contact with the stronger riders but had my own little group. 23rd again. Diane Lee (Mule Bar) won from Rachel Armitage.
Day 3: 50km, hilly circuit race on a by pass. (8 laps)
My aim today was to stay in. I was in the bunch for half the race. The pro men (Stefan Schumacher et al) overtook us and the front of my bunch jumped on to the back of them. I hung on for dear life but it was unsustainable for me....... the womens' race blew apart and I was amazed at just how quickly the train ahead of me moved away once I could no longer hang on.
After that it was no longer a proper race really. People stopped, people were lapped and as it happened I ended up being the last finisher on the road due to the drop outs etc. I was gutted to discover that everyone after me was given my finish time, no penalty etc. Some of them had dropped out after 45mins of racing and were given my time. That did not help my GC........ but what fantastic training!
Day 4: 12km, TT
My legs were shattered, worked my socks off. Was not particularly impressive but did my best.
Overall: Officially 23rd on GC. Actually 20th or 21st if the stage 3 results had not been so wrong........
Rachel Armitage was the overall winner, very impressive. Emily Bagnall was the best of my pink cousins, 5th. Catherine Hills, another pink cousin, 25th. Rachel P, who comes out on chain gang with us, 15th.
A great training camp for me, new friends made, let's go next year?
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