The next TransAlp installment from Kate Potter

Kate Potter - still smiling!

Today was a shorter day in the saddle, but by no means an easier day. The distance we covered was 47.6km, but 80% of the course involved fairly steep climbing. Male was situated at just under 800m and the highest pass today would be around 2200m. Nevertheless I was looking forward to what I thought would be a shorter stage as I had woken up again with the same cold like symptoms I experienced in Scuol during stages 3-4. My head was pounding and my throat was burning. I only managed half of my normal intake of breakfast and even my usual cravings for vanilla Power bar gels didn't help put a smile back on my face.

Andy was confident that Jenn and I would have a good race today. As we made our way to the start line, his instructions were to 'ride hard'. I almost burst into tears as I wasn't too sure whether my legs would remember how to 'ride hard' today.

The start once again began with a long tarmac climb. The first few switchbacks were fairly steep, and my whole body for the first time was struggling with spinning up hill. There were so many riders flying past, with all the familiar teams we usually see along the way a lot further ahead. However the German womens team leading the competition (Team Zwillingscraft) were less than 20m in front of Jenn and I, and they too looked like they were tiring. However in the corner of my eye I spotted the fourth place womens's team from Norway (Team Torshov) who were fast approaching and looking very strong. Something in my brain told me to 'ride hard' or we would lose time. I think Jenn had this feeling too. All of a sudden our cadence increased and we were both starting to overtake the riders in front. As soon as the course turned to off road we found ourselves behind the Klose sisters (Team Zwillingscraft), but there was no opportunity to pass as the course had turned to a very narrow, steep single track climb that forced everybody to walk. The descent that followed was also very steep and loose in places. Jenn and I had lost sight of quite a few riders ahead of us. As we joined a fire road, out of the corner of my eye I noticed an arrow pointing in the opposite direction. I stopped Jenn just in time, we quickly scrambled back up the hill and made our way down the rest of the descent.

The next section turned to tarmac and Jenn and I thought we were pushing the pace. Then all of a sudden Team Torshov flew by at a cracking pace as they held the wheel of a group of riders. Today they looked invincible. This was the first time we had seen these two women who were slowly increasing their lead. Jenn and I looked at each other and Andy's last words to 'ride hard' raised their ugly head again. I didn't think I had much more left in me, but together we pushed on, as we didn't want to disappoint coach.

The climb to the top of the Rifugio Orso Bruno was never ending, with only a few short flat sections to recover on, before more unrelenting steep gravel road. I just wanted the climb to end and forced myself to keep the pace high, because every time I relaxed I felt dreadful. Jenn was riding comfortably, but I needed to go harder as for some reason I only felt well when I was riding as hard as I could. It was a horrible feeling and reminded me of how I generally feel towards the end of a 24 hour race. Jenn and I managed to pass Team Torshov and then steadily increased our lead, but not by much. Both of us dug deep and just focused on staying in front. As we approached the top of the climb a few riders mentioned that we were in fact leading. I didn't believe it at first, as my main concern was to stay in front of the Norwegian duo.

A well fought win!

It was such a relief to make it to the top. According to the race profile there was a remaining 12km which would mainly be descending. Jenn caught me half way down and as she shot by I was determined to try and keep up with her, to relax, and not make any errors that would could lose us valuable time. Jenn and I had perfect grip on the loose bends, but although we were riding steadily, on one occasion I was forced to brake hard as a rider slid out in front of me and I only just missed riding over his head. The fire road turned to undulating single track through the trees, before a wider trail covered in roots and then a fast steep shoot that dropped us onto the last stretch of tarmac that took us into the centre of Madonna di Campiglio.

Jenn and I crossed the line in first position (3.31hrs), to the delight of our coach Andy who believed we still had something left in our legs to 'ride hard' and win a stage. I was in disbelief. The media attention was terrifying. The commentator asked me a question and I just froze. He wanted me to answer what our tactics were and how we felt about the race. There were too many thoughts and emotions passing across my mind. The burning sensation in my throat returned and every bone in my body ached. I seriously don't know where the extra 'oomph' came from today to finish in first place, but together Jenn and I had achieved a stage win and remained in second place overall.

Standing on the podium tonight was a very special moment. There aren't many races where you and your friend can stand together on the top of the podium with hands held high.