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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.
Geelong Tour Stage 4
Australia, February 22-25, 2004
Stage 4 - February 25: Lara Road Race 115km
200m from a stage win...
We started at a very civilized pace, rolling out on the narrow roads edged with red dust and gravel. The radio banter in the convoy supposedly involved comments like "Wake me up when we are out of the neutral zone!"
It didn't take long, the New Zealanders launching some solid moves, and a decent break of perhaps six riders went clear within the first 25km of racing. The break included Alison Wright (Nobili), Lorian Graham (AIS), Miho Oki (Japan), Madeleine Lindberg (Nürnberger) and Tina Mayolo-Pic (US rider with Jayco) and a couple others (sorry). Notably T-mobile had missed the break, and we had no SATS rider up there either.
I was not too concerned about chasing the break - there were plenty of other riders ahead on GC with a lot more to lose than our team if the break stayed away. With the climb still to come, and another 100km to go, our team had to wait to play our cards.
T-mobile had five riders attacking aggressively throughout the stage - all covered well by numerous strong Australian and other riders. Team SATS was down a bit in strength with Sara Symington not feeling well so not starting today, Rochelle and Karina not with the group after the climb, and Meredith getting a puncture at the worst possible moment - a kilometre before the climb! Manon and I felt our best opportunity would be to take advantage of the other teams tactics and hopefully counter other attacks towards the end of the race to give us the best chance of winning the stage.
I was not in as good position as I would have liked at the start of the climb, and it was longer than I remember! At the top I was with some strong riders, but slowed up at the crest rather than giving enough (150% ?!) to tag on the back of those ahead, who had already started the chase to the groups up the road. I was caught in a group too weak to effectively chase to the bunch ahead.
We were caught from behind by a large group, as the group ahead was disappearing from view. We kept moving well, and with enough riders working, 20 kilometres later the race had regrouped! I was surprised. There had been attacks in the front group, but the strength of Oenone and her AIS team seems to dampen the enthusiasm of riders trying to establish a break. Katie Mactier (Jayco) was only seven seconds behind on GC so there was little chance of her getting away, or of her letting moves go and thus giving up the chance for the 10 second bonus for the stage win.
Despite the odds, after the bunch had regrouped, Manon and I teamed up for some action. It did not take long. After some moves by Nicole Freedman (USA rider with a composite team), Sara Carrigan (QAS) and more T-Mobile attacks, Manon saw an opportunity and attacked. She held a good gap for a while, with Amber Neben (T-Mobile) and various GC contenders all interested in the action. When she was brought back, I was waiting for the counter and went with Stacey Peters (T-mobile). We were joined by Trixi Worrack (Nürnberger) and maintained a gap of about 10-20 seconds on the field for about 15 to 20 kilometres. I kept thinking that we would be pulled back in - but with each look over my shoulder the gap was enough to think we still had a chance.
We got to about three kilometres from the finish, and a roundabout where we had to go right. The lead cars and motorbikes had taken the longer path around the whole roundabout. I called to Stacey to go right (and take the shortest line through the roundabout) - but she started to lead us the other way. Trixi and I cut the corner, and I didn't see Stacey again. Someone said she fell at the roundabout. Trixi and I kept working together, and with a kilometre to go, I still thought we had a tiny chance. I pulled a hard turn, and then Trixi came through. We rode over a rough bridge with 500m to go, and if I had looked around I would have seen a train of NZ riders steaming towards me with Sarah Ulmer revving up behind. I pulled through again, approaching the uphill sprint, and knowing that I needed wings to hold off the chasing bunch. I started to sprint early, but was caught by the 200 metre mark.
Bummer. I would have loved a stage win! Could of, would have, should have. There were a million thoughts in my head about when I could have gone just that bit harder, attacked Trixi and then held off the NZ mob to the line. I am content anyway - knowing I have good form from well planned training, a great team for 2004, and a whole season of racing ahead with plenty of opportunities to get the podium time we deserve.
Sarah Ulmer won the stage easily with the support of her team chasing the amazingly talented break that did not have luck on their side. Oenone Wood (AIS) cleaned up, with a classy win illustrating her strength as a sprinter and as a climber - convincingly stomping up the climb ahead of everyone else. It will be great to see her splashing around in the European races against some bigger fish during March and April.
A Canadian tradition was maintained for post tour beer, pizza and ice cream. It was great to celebrate our first few days of racing together, and laugh a little about having to head to Copenhagen in about a week to temperatures that scare me! (-6 to 0 yesterday!). One more day of racing to go with the Geelong World Cup on Sunday. Our team has every chance to take the world cup series leader jersey with us to Denmark for the start of the season and all the motivation we could want to win.
