The comeback track: The Marion Clignet Journal 2003

French track legend Marion Clignet retired from racing in 2000, intending to become active as an advocate for women's sport. But after two years off the bike, and perhaps inspired by the other female champions she's encountered while working as a presenter for French TV, Clignet is returning to the velodrome in a determined comeback. Follow her progress on Cyclingnews as she works to make her way back to the top.

• Index to all entries

May 15: Sydney World Cup

Fence Hopping in Oz

For a country that's been in a drought for the last 100 years, apparently our venue has brought them water! It has, to say the least, pissed rain since we've been in the lovely land of Oz. Oh well that's part of the adventure I suppose, and thus far an adventure it is!

After 27 hours of traveling, the one thing we all looked forward too was a hot shower, relaxing in front of the tube, music, or just calm. When our bus pulled into the driveway of a Bible college, I jokingly said maybe they want to convert us, but no, this was our hotel of sorts. I suppose I have seen worse, in women's road racing we've seen it all. The people are absolutely friendly and Andrew the campus conference manager has really gone out of his way to accommodate us. The food is awesome so...the rooms are dorm rooms, a bit small and the showers and bathrooms are down the hall somewhere...

I'm OK here, like I said the food is great and the folks are really nice, but were still used to certain accommodations, especially after coming so far! The organisation however is another story...meals are from 11pm-1pm on race nights - great, but everyone doesn't race at night! And for those who race at 10 am, breakfast starts at 7 am. Not early enough since warm ups often start at 8 or 9 am.

The sprinters who used to have their event in two days now have it all in one, so they spend a wonderful 13 hours at the velodrome. And the pursuiters, oh sorry, the women pursuiters have the points race Friday night and the pursuit the next morning. GOOD JOB UCI!

As for my fence hopping...The second night here I went into town for a TV interview and then dinner with a very good friend, and when he dropped me off at the bible hotel the front gate was locked! It's a fairly huge affair and he had to give me a leg up to climb over it. Good thing i didn't break my leg!

As for the pursuit there's some hot names on the start list: 1995 World Road Champion in Lugano - Barbara Heeb is giving the track a try for the first time, 1998 world road champion, World Cup champion, and Tour de France winner Diana Ziliute is back for another round after riding the pursuit last year, and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Sarah Ulmer is here as well.

It all starts tomorrow so tune in and see yall then!
Marion