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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.
Grand Prix des Nations - 1.7.1, France, September 19, 2004
Done for the year
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I spent a few days with Adrian in Verdun after the Chrono Champenois time trial. We toured the World War I battlefields, and visited one of the memorials to the mainly French and German soldiers who died fighting in this area. A huge bell tower and two long corridors and an expansive cemetery of white crosses make up the impressive 'L'Ossuaire de Douaumont'. It is the final resting place of the bones of 130,000 young men. Inside the corridors that sort of form a cross, the light is a beautiful yellow or orange colour from the glass sections in the walls and the white stone blocks are each marked in red with the details of soldiers who died. It was painful to realize that as they finished building this monument to the dead from WWI, WWII was just about to begin!
We then headed to Normandy, about 300 km to the west, for another time trial, Grand Prix des Nations. The race is organized by the Tour de France organization (ASO), and the race for the women, juniors and espoirs categories are run in conjunction with the professional men who do two laps of the 27 km circuit. It was a tough course, starting with a flat 5 km section into a headwind, up an easy 4 km climb (less than 2%), then a descent into a 5 km flat section and the midway time-check, just before the tough second climb (2km at 6%). From there, a couple kilometres on a road with a really dead surface, before a beautiful fast open descent and the tailwind run back into Elbeuf-sur-Seine.
I had a few days to train over the circuit, and the conditions for the race were much better than a few days earlier when it seemed like there was a perpetual headwind! I felt quite good during the race, and really tried to work well on the climbs, controlled but strong. The first descent had a bit of loose gravel at one point, and I took it a bit too cautiously I think, in hindsight. I was familiar with the corners, and should have been able to rocket down there! The final fast descent was easy and I worked solidly to pull it home in a big gear at the end. I had suffered a bit on the rough road before the final descent - perhaps I could have done something more there... That is what you think about when you finish six seconds from the podium. I am happy enough. I gave it everything - and I think I rode it quite well. Still a lot more power needed to win!
Priska Doppman (Swiss) won in 38'04 (42.6 km/h), Edwige Pitel (France) was second with 39'38, and 'Cathy Marsal third with 40'06. I was fifth, with a time of 40'12, just behind the Belgian national time trial champion, Maes.
We refueled and watched the pros flying past. It was cool to hear the Aussie accents of Mick Rogers and Bradley McGee as they chatted just before their start, Rogers wearing his beautiful world time trial champion skinsuit and with an awesome-looking time trial machine. The German Michael Rich won the men's in 1'08'24 (47.6 km/h). He looked so solid, powerful and smick with German national champion stripes. Seriously solid compared to the other guys. I would have loved to see him powering up the 6% climb!
I'm done for the year. It has been one hell of a challenge - not so much the riding as just trying to work out the logistics and planning when things fall apart around you. It has been awesome to have the generous support of so many people, particularly numerous friends in Holland and France. The Bik-Gios team has been wonderfully supportive, picking me up in the middle of the season. Thanks heaps to all the riders, management and sponsors.
Now I just have to enjoy a bit of travel, sightseeing and make my way home. As always, my plans still flexible and plenty of options!
Cheers,
Emma
