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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.
The Jayco Bay Classic (Days 1-3)
Day 1 - January 7: Hastings
A wet and slippery day. It was the first time the Bay Series had ventured to Hastings, so it was a pity the weather was not more generous to spectators and racers to enjoy the spectacle. Crashes always create a bit of interest - always a bit of a crowd watching around the fastest corners knowing there could be carnage at anytime. All three races were decimated by crashes, and the girls race even encouraged spectator participation with one of the Victorian riders cleaning up a few spectators as she tried to avoid a crash and headed for the footpath!
The safest place was off the front. In the men's Baden Cooke made it look easy - winning solo by a big margin, well protected by his team controlling the chasing peloton. He said he had taken the time to let air out of his tyres after a crash part way through the race, which helped him later on - riding smoothly through the corners.
In the women's I had a chance in a break with a couple others half way through, but I was extra cautious in the slippery corners with a rear tyre that seemed to slip even at a moderate pace. I was leaving too big a gap to the wheel in front, and not relaxed enough to settle into riding with the break. Less air pressure in my tyres might have helped - and probably worrying about it less would have been good.
Olivia Gollan (NSWIS) went with the move by Hayley Rutherford (WAIS/Porsche-VIC), Oenone Wood (ACTAS) and Emma Rickards (VIC). Falls galore out front and in the peloton made for rather ordinary racing. Oenone won the sprint ahead of Hayley, Olivia and Emma Richards. In the main group Kate Nichols (NSWIS) was given a bit of space by a teammate as she led towards the sprint to safely take fifth place. A crash leading into the sprint for the main group saw me held up, but not touching down (lucky to be protected by those already in the gutter ahead of me).
I felt I had some form and strength, coming to the races this year with a fair bit more intensity training than last year. I was looking forward to the tough hilly circuit in store for the next day. The annex on my new van even got a start in the wet conditions - working perfectly to give me room to get changed and stay dry. Love the van!
Day 2 - January 8: Port Arlington
The weather was again changeable with strong winds blowing in clouds and stormy weather occasionally. It dumped just at the end of the men's A grade support race, with riders falling on the off camber corner just after the finishing straight. The rain stopped as the girls lined up, and we headed off cautiously on the wet circuit. It seemed to dry up pretty quick, and with different tyres on my bike I had no trouble in the corners.
I felt good in patches during the race, but suffered more than I thought I should be at times too! The NSWIS team was ensuring that the sprint classification was secured with two of our riders (Kate Bates and Olivia Gollan) controlling this category. A move went halfway through, again with Hayley and Oenone dominating. Kate Bates was able to go with the move, putting our team in a good position.
From the previous day we had decided we wanted two from our team in any break. Olivia and I agreed we needed to get another one across if we could without bringing others with us. NSW had the numbers in what remained of the peloton, and I saw an opportunity to attack where my team mates would be blocking that side of the group making it harder for the other riders to cover my move. It worked, and I quickly got a good gap between me and the main field, but the break was still 100m up the road.
I felt I was gaining on them, but I did not get across quickly enough, suffering and losing hope that I would be able to assist if I did make it across in the state I was in! If I had made it - it would have only taken a lap sitting on to recover and then I could have put NSW in a stronger position for the final sprint.
It was not to be. I plugged on in no man's land for the last four laps and finished fifth, caught by Alison Wright (ACTAS) with half a lap to go, and with the legs to hold her wheel but not come round her in the tough headwind and uphill sprint finish. I knew I had not ridden as well as I needed to bridge the gap. I needed control, strength and speed. The type of rhythm you need for time trialling. Plenty to think about.
Kate finished second in the stage behind Hayley who managed to get out of the last corner with a gap to the others and charge through to the line. Oenone was third, again having been with the winning move for the day and showing her strength.
Day 3 - January 9: Geelong beach front 'hot dog' circuit
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The race was not on until the evening, 6pm start for the girls. The weather had improved with no rain around, but plenty of wind. I struggled to warm up much, and was glad to get a chance to roll around the circuit when the race start was delayed. We were keen to take the points in the sprint category again, Kate Bate and Olivia in control there, assisted by Kate Nichols and me leading up to the sprints.
Narelle Petersen (Porsche-Vic) made a good move with about ten laps to go. It took a bit to pull her back, with a solid effort from Nichols and Gollan. I had got boxed in a bit as I tried to move up to help with the chase, and as Olivia took over and stepped on the gas to pulling it back urgently I had little chance to move up in time.
Narelle seemed to tire and was pulled back in. I was watching for the counter move, and glad that Olivia did not seem shattered by her solid effort chasing. Soon after a perfect opportunity arose as the bunch baulked a bit in the head wind on the back straight. I shot down the gutter side and worked to build a gap with just over four laps to go. I sprinted out of the corners and tried to get as much speed as possible - each straight like a finishing sprint.
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The gap to the main field shrunk at times, but I maintained my effort, powering as much as I could and willing as much energy as I could find into the pedals. I knew even if I was caught I would have put the team in a strong position for the sprint with the other teams forced to chase. I listened as Phil Liggett's commentary told me who was chasing, and when my teammates were at the front it was good to here him say 'they would not be working to pull Emma back'.
My confidence grew as it seemed the move may succeed with spectators urging me on and the peloton having left it too late. Katie Mactier took up the chase, and I made sure my speed did not drop. Even into the final straight I was not certain I had the win, knowing how fast the peloton would be sprinting with the tail wind finish. I powered as hard as I could down the straight - and was stoked to have held the bunch off and take my first win for 2004! It is a magic feeling.
