The Tour of New Braunfels represented the first time the 2009 Team Hotel San Jose women's team would race together, so it was an exciting weekend from the start!
The Crit course is a rolling circuit about 2.5 miles long. Not a selective course, and not one that favors breakaways. Rachel, Jen & myself (Lori) anticipated a pack sprint, which the 3 pro Colavita women (including former Nat'l Champ Nicki Wainsgard, and top-notch sprinters Kelly Benjamen & Shontelle Gauthier,) were sure to contend for, as well.
It was a good learning day- the THSJ women had just learned they had an invite to be part of a composite team going to the Redlands Classic invitational race, so everyone was in the frame of mind to just get out and ride hard! Jen did a ton of work in the pack, wanting to get a hard work out in, while Rachel and myself followed some moves, just to be represented, but also figured it was going to be a bunch sprint.
Coming into the finish, Jen was unfortunately out in the wind, but with Rachel on her wheel. I positioned myself on what I thought would be a good lead out wheel, only to have that rider gap off of the Colavita train I was hoping to take advantage of, for a disappointing 7th place. Jen sprinted from having 0 protection for the last half lap, for 4th place, and Rachel was unfortunately taken to the curb, to come in with the pack.
The road race the next day was hard! Flat, and very, very windy, a group of 5 riders including Jen made it down the road at about mile 13. I was in a chase group of 3 for the next 35 miles, and man it was hard! Jen rode like a champ, and finished 2nd after getting worked over by a couple of Brain & Spine girls, and I got 2nd in my group to Kim Ciolli, for another 7th place- although hard won!
It was a great first weekend of racing together- we got to learn a lot about where each of our fitness lies, and how we can best work together. It's going to be a GREAT season!
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