It's been just over a week since I raced Gent Wevelgem but i remember every moment like it was yesterday!
In the morning we got up pretty early and packed up the car so we could get a good spot at the race. We just missed the women's elite race set off from the centre of Boezinge. Us girls went down the hill and signed on together at the hall. I was so scared i thought the Belgians taking control of the event would ask so many strict questions and and need to specify loads of paperwork but they just took our licences and calendar cards and checked us off the lists. Phew! First hurdle complete onto the next. We went back to the van and sat together listening to music, chilling out and getting psyched for the race ahead. Then we got changed, (dived into more flapjacks, thanks Sue!), and pinned our numbers on. We went to the sign on, (on the big stage) and we decided it would be great to put our arms around each other and show real team spirit. It was a very special moment for us being up there together. We were ready to tackle one of our most challenging races yet.
On the start line us Torelli riders managed to get up near the front, but then the organisers through in a curve ball! They were doing gear checks on the start line. None of us had experienced this before, it was very odd as the bunch was already fired up and starting to fight a bit. Soon it turned into punching and pulling each others hair. I was a wee bit frightened but some of the girls took it in their stride. I lost quite a few places but just tried to look tough and hold my ground. I just got scared of being disqualified, I did not want to miss this opportunity so I decided getting involved in that behaviour can wait for (hopefully!) the next time I race at that level ;-)
The bell went and we charged off from the start at a high speed. Big crowds lining the barriers. The race was strung out quickly on the cobbles and i managed to move up a few places. Catching sight of Sophie Williams one of my teamies I jumped on her wheel knowing she was good in a bunch and could probably help me move up quickly. A few moments later I heard a scream and a few rows in front a girls wheel flew up in the air. I slammed on my brakes, closed my eyes and prayed like mad as riders came crashing down in all directions!! I was millimetres away from going over my handlebars. Hugely relieved I had the wonderful Gareth Luce service my brakes etc not long before the race. If they had been even the slightest bit array I would likely have been on the floor and nursing a broken collarbone. Shaking that thought out of my head I squeezed through the carnage and formed a fairly large group just off the back of the lead riders who had been in front of the pile up. We were within 10 seconds of them again and almost bridged the gap but then there was another huge crash in our group and we lost the even pace and work load and eventually lost sight of the leading group.
Riders were dotted all over the road as more and more crashes occurred. We came back round past the starting point on the 2nd lap (out of 6 x 12km) and there was another crash in the exact same place as the first one. There must have been another dozen or so riders down and I caught a glimpse of one of my Torelli team mates on the floor holding her shoulder. I was immediately concerned and very nearly jumped off my bike to see if she was ok. But i saw the medics were coming over in a flash and i knew i had a race to finish! Remembering what I was there for i continued on and managed to form another group.
I lapped up the experience and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of my time in the race bouncing over the cobbles and bridging between groups of riders. I ended up being classified 95th as the groups behind the front of the race had to be pulled with a couple of laps remaining because the elite mens race was approaching fast and they didn't want us in the way. Out of 175 riders and only my first ever experience in a race of that level (pretty much a world championship with riders from all over the world entered) I was pretty happy. I loved it over there and it was such an incredible feeling getting the chance to race there. I want to thank Tony Orrell greatly for giving me the chance and the rest of the Torelli girls, including Sue, for being so wonderful.
P.S The return journey was also very eventful. As we were in separate cars we decided we would meet on the ferry for a meal. Sue, Sophie, Rhiannon and I charged ahead in the van, and eventually lost sight of Tony and the other girls. We presumed they were going a bit slower to protect the bikes dangling off the roof rack on the car. We eventually arrived at the ferry in Calais and gave our passports to the women at the check in desk. She looked at us quizzically and said "Sorry you're not booked in on this ferry, you're booked on the one from Dunkerque - but I can change it if you like". We were very confused but nodded as we acknowledged there was no time to get back to Dunkerque for the 8pm ferry, we had only just made it in time for the one from Calais. Sue phoned Tony to find out what was going on - we all waited listening closely. Tony said they were on the ferry getting a meal and asked where we were. We said we had just arrived on the ferry from Calais and asked if he was on the Dunkerque one. His response: Yes that was the original plan! We laughed so much as we realised our mistake. We had arrived in Calais from Dover and had just presumed we would be going back to Dover from Calais. I twas highly amusing but we still beat the others to Dover by nearly an hour so was worth it in the end! What an adventure us girls had! Racing the junior Gent Wevelgem truly was THE most valuable and exciting experience i have ever had!
