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The Emma James Diary 2004
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Welcome to one of Cyclingnews' up-and-coming female talents, Australian Emma James. Emma has spent the past two years with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) team based in Italy, and in 2004, she has graduated to a full professional contract, firstly with Team S.A.T.S. and now with Bik Gios. She's a gutsy rider who's decided that she'd rather be testing the waters of professional cycling than testing the salinity of the Sydney's waterways as an environmental scientist - which used to be her previous occupation before Emma decided to take the plunge.
Ready to Roll for 2004
Australia, January 7, 2004
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It has been a while since my last diary entry - too long. Now the excitement of a new season and the summer races after a month or so of training has my legs ready to race and my fingers tapping away on the keyboard.
A few big changes are in the pipeline. After racing with the AIS for the last two seasons in Italy I will be moving to a pro team. As I have been saying for the last month - 'I will have a contract and all the details sorted in a few days'! That is still the case, but my focus is on my riding, and on the races through January and February.
I am motivated by the change from the support and security of the national team to the independence and responsibility essential for a rider on a professional team. I feel I have learnt a great deal in the team environment with the other Aussie girls, especially after such a successful year in 2003 for the Australian women racing internationally. It has been inspiring to see Sara Carrigan in the World Cup jersey, Olivia Gollan and Oenone Wood mixing it with the very strongest European hill climbers, and Katie Mactier winning a silver medal in her first track worlds in the pursuit. It is great to understand the challenges of the international racing and appreciate the satisfaction of success for all the awesome results. The 'nearly but not quite' memories are just as motivating. I am starting 2004 refreshed, controlled and focused.
I have a new coach, John de Haan, who I have known since I first ventured to Nijmegen in Holland for half a season in 2001. He has an approach to structuring training that helps me maintain the flexibility I need, but with the detail to ensure improvement in strength and speed. Long distance coaching is not ideal, but I have help, as always, close to hand at home. As my experience grows with each year, I feel more confident with my training, and should see the benefits with results! It is essential to have a coach you can connect with, who shares your goals and can explain things in a way you understand. With time it seems to me the psychological aspects increase in importance, and how much time you spend training in different heart rate zones lessens in significance.
For the National Time Trial I have a beautiful Cervelo P3K aerodynamic machine to ride. It is artwork - seriously photogenic and rides so smoothly. You couldn't ask for much more to focus your training and desire. These bikes make such a difference. If you are racing a time trial they give you an amazing boost mainly because they make it feel so smooth and fast (most of the time!). They help you find that permanent tail wind you have always wished for. They are so perfected in wind tunnel testing and so fast if the rider has the legs to power it and the passion to drive it.
Such a beautiful Cervelo time trial bike deserves nothing less than the best in componentry. Cheeky Monkey Multisport on Clovelly Rd in Sydney made it look beautiful - with the essential parts: 10 speed Durace is perfect (with crank arms that are so divine!). The only thing left is to get the results! With the National Time Trial less than a week away, I am keen to do the bike justice and clean up on the Ballarat circuit.
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The other big change is my transport. When two wheels are not enough (or the weight of stuff to carry is beyond me), I now have my first motorised machine - a Mitsubishi Express van, now clean and refreshed by Adrian and I, kitted out with couch/bed courtesy of Geoff's tools and advice and more hard work by Adrian, and amazing sewing expertise from Pat and last minute cushion covers from my Mum. It is proving heaps of fun so far, once we had finally packed everything and hit the road. 24hrs down - three weeks more traveling/racing to do!
Race reports will be flying in over this time with the Bay Series Criteriums, National ITT and road race and Tour Down Under women's criteriums keeping me busy till the end of January!
