Tour de France Féminin

Giana Roberge Reports

Early Stages 10   11

Stage 10

Wow! Today was a dousy of a stage. The day began with a sit down protest by the women. Linda Jackson and Cathy Marsal were the chosen spokes-women; they made our disatisfaction with the disrespectful conditions consisely to race director Pierre Boue. Both women reiterated the honor we all feel to participate in the Tour but were firm with the need for change. Two quick kisses on the cheeks of both women from Pierre and we were off, only 15 minutes late.

The 119 kilometer stage offered a gradual climb from kilometer 50 up to the first cat 3 climb of 956 meters at kilometer 90. Today was a great, aggressive race. There was a brutal headwind, and at times, a crosswind. I was fighting for position most of the day. I have finally figured out what works for me in the peloton. I ride on the side and always try to move forward. Anytime I feel someone come up on my shoulder, I move up. Of course there are some riders I let in or out of the peloton. Luperinni can pretty much go anywhere she wants in the group. I let anyone who was or is my teammate go where they need to; and, any other North American also has my alliance. Of course this respect is mutual and always returned when I need to get water to Linda or move her up. This sort of group etiquette is important. I give "favors" because I expect them to be returned when I need them later. There are some riders that I keep out in the wind until they go away; these are the riders that either dangerous or have, at sometime, been troublesome when I was trying to get Linda into position, or took my wheel from her. Whatever it was, I don't forget.

While moving up constantly all day, I took comfort in the sensations of the peloton. Now that I have international experience, I am used to the handlebars brushing my thigh as the woman next to me moves up. I am comfortable with reaching out to the woman next to me to let her know I am moving over. I like watching the racers helping to pass water bottles, push a woman when her chain falls off, or have a quick chat with a friend about yesterday's stage. I like the sounds of the chains running smoothly over the cogs; I like the yells of "attention," or "auto." I have even become fond of the honking of the press motorcycles as they fly by us. And then there are the cheers from the fans. Along the course the noise of clapping and yelling is part of the mosaic. And it is all beautiful; it is my place of work and I love it.

But back to today's stage. Leigh Hobson (Hydro-Quebec) made a brave attack early in the race. She was out for nearly 40 kilometers before the Dream Team reeled her back in. I have to admire her courage; it was a windy, tough day to be out by yourself. Their was a Dutch girl with her for a little while, but they came back to the peloton separately. When we got to the first climb, Mimosa put the pressure on at the front. We were flying up the climb. I kept thinking, "I am in my 15, how can that be?" Yet, at the top of the 8k climb, I was there with the climbers, so I guess it was an okay choice. Down the ripping descent, and we were at the climbing thing again. This was a 5k cat 2 climb to 955 meters. This time I struggled; the group shattered and the small group I was with began to climb away from me. I took half a kilometer to recover, then clicked down into a bigger gear and stood up. Just when I thought the vein in the side of my neck was going to explode, I was back to the group, just in time for the mountain sprint. Thank God that the small group of elite climbers was up the road; and that the group I was with resisted the urge to sprint. I managed to hang on and tried to recover on the descent. I knew that the last 2 kilometers were 13 to 16 percent. I tried my best to loosen my legs, but for all the shaking they were not having any of that recovery stuff. We turned right and bang! I blew. The group I was with shattered. I tried to count down the meters; it is easier than counting down the kilometers. Just when I was ready to get off my bike, I saw the red 1 k to go flag. The road eased a little and I was able to click into my 21 and stand up. 300, 200, 100, 50 meters to go. I made it! Another exciting day to add to my journal. I love looking around me on the climbs and saying to myself, "she is a climber, and she is, and so is she." Barbara Heeb won her second stage of the '98 Tour today; the final climb complimented her strength on very steep climbs.

Two days, and three stages to go. I just need to make it through tomorrow's 128 ks, cat 4, and cat 1 climb and I will be done climbing (yeah right!) in this 1998 Tour de France.

Stage 11

In what could only be described as a day from hell, we left La Bresse in the 15 degree pouring rain. The wind was furious, and by the time we had climbed the 1187 meters to the Col Du Ballon D'Alsace the temperature was 10 degrees. Once again an agreement was made; Linda would not attack on the climb if there were to be no attacks on the trecherous descent. Linda kept her word; Kathy Watt offended every one of the 70 remaining riders by attacking on the descent. She and the other riders that went with her were caught before the finish with the peloton giving her the universal middle finger salute that can be translated in any language. The group was brought back in part to a huge effort on the Dream Team, Mimosa, and Linda's part. The crosswind desimated the peloton; I was caught out in the wind and after my 11 days of racing, hit the wall. I finished in the second group with Liz Emery, Barbara Heeb, and a few other small climbers. I was so relieved to finish; the cold, wind and rain was the quintessential icing on the cake of an already nearly impossible tour. Petra Rossner gutted it out in the crosswinds to win her second 1998 Tour stage.

Tomorrow is a double day. Might I just mention that the men get to ride in Paris and go back to the caravan to drink champagne on their last day of the Tour. We get to race twice in one day; and with the last stage being a time trial no-less. Well, I think I may just be drinking some champagne myself tomorrow night; just finishing this Tour will be cause for celebration.