Global Team - news from the road

Emma's report from the Het Volk road race

Het Volk was the first race of the year for several of the 7 woman squad and everyone was very excited as well and slightly apprehensive about 'getting back into the peloton'. There were a few concerns on the journey to Deerlijk as the rain lashed down and the wind blow strongly with frequent bursts of hail; how would our new white and pink kit stand up to the inevitable mud splatters!!!

The course was 30km longer than last year and had several more stretches of cobbles and climbs; this all played into the strengths of the team. Helen was still riding high from a solid cross season, Line was stronger than last year and sprinting well and I knew that I was certainly fitter than last year. New addtions promised much; Linda was a great rider on the narrow roads and cobbles associaed with Holland and Belgium, Loiuse had a wealth of experience in the big one day races and Linnn and Nikki were both in great shape and full of confidence.

For those unfamiliar with racing out here in Belgium; it's big! Belgians love a good bike race. They will line the streets to get glimpses of riders and shout out words of encouragement. If their town hosts the start or finish of the race then there's simply no other place to be than out on the roadside. As the race takes in all the towns and villages en route, all the houses and even the bars empty out as the old men wander out with their pints to give a cheer and shout for the 'wielrenner'. 169 girls lined up to start the race with 29 following team cars. The neutralised zone is traditionally a 'tour' of the town or village hosting the start of the race; usually run at just as fast a pace as the race itself as riders fight to hold positions and move up the bunch. It's always very hectic with bottles falling off bikes, a flurry of unfortunate puncture victims and the inevitable rider or two out of the back before the race has even started!!!! This year was no exception!

Emma Silversides

After about 25km of racing the road was temporarily blocked as about half a douzen gilrs hit the deck; no Global riders were involved but unfortunately it happened right in front of myself and Line. This is not great in the strong cross winds that we had since so much energy is wasted chasing back on to the bunch. Unfortunately it was not the only crash of the day and another followed just as we made contact with the bunch. This one really saw the peloton break up into several echelons; a frustrating situation as riders let wheels go and each little effort to get back to a group saps the legs. Helen, Linn and Nikki had managed to get good positions and were in the front group. Linda was not far behind in the first of several small chasing groups, Line, Loiuse and myself were in the third of probably about 8 chasing groups each containing 10-15 riders. The make up of these groups was constantly changing for about 40 km as the race took in a series of climbs and cobbles; weaker riders would drop off and stronger ones would make the jump to the next group. The following vehicles passed us at about 65km and we held them insight about 400m infront of us; there was still a strong chance of getting back in front of them to the next group since you just never know what is going to happen in the main peloton. In fact, the main peloton had now been reduced to about 50 riders and attacks were being made as the race hit the first of 3 finishing circuits. We still had 3 riders up there despite several more crashes and ever increasing cross winds which were causing riders to involuntarily practise cyclo-cross skills in the verges (poor choice of deep section rims!).

Unfortunately, with very tight time limits, the group containing Line, Loiuse and myself was pulled out on the first finishing circuit. Linda was victim to the same fate after completing one finishing circuit. Our girls battled on, frustratingly for Helen someones pedal/foot 'drifted' into her rear wheel and brought her down. The peloton left her to sort herself out while they chased a group of 5 riders who'd gained about 30 seconds. This gap wasn't closed and Nikki and Linn were left to contest the bunch sprint. They achieved very respectable 25th and 26th with Helen rolling over the line about 3 minutes later in 54th place.

All in all the team were VERY happy with the days results. And things look very promising for the season ahead. definitely watch this space as I continue to keep SheCycles posted with the teams activities via a regular diary.

Emma