BRONZE medal at Nationals - Quebec City

It was raining, the race was delayed and it was going to get dark by the finishing laps, but this was Nationals - the race in which every woman on the start line strives to have the best race of her season!

Despite the omnious conditions, the women raced hard from the gun. Kirsten Robbins was shoulder to shoulder with Erinne Wilock at the front keeping the pace high and the peloton safe as we approached the sketchy descent to the St. Laurence River. On the first time up the Cote de Gilmour, Webcor began to fire a series of attacks. I kept a close eye on Erinne and Alex Wrubleski kept a close eye on everyone else! The climb begins with a steep slippery pitch that lasts about 700 m before turning and leveling out into a shallow grade that lasts another 700 m. It then continues as a false flat for about 1 km. (perfect for a break to get away!)

On lap two, Tara Ross attacked on the steep part of the climb initiating another series of attacks. By the end of it, a break of five riders escaped - Erinne Wilock, Anne Samplonious, Alex Wrubleski, Marni Hambleton, and myself. The break worked well together for the majority of the race, extending the gap to about 4 minutes by the finish. With 2 laps to go, I initiated an attack before the descent, which got a small gap, but was caught by the bottom. On the climb, Alex then surged ahead and got a small gap. Erinne, Anne and I chased to a point where we were confident we could hold Alex at bay until the base of the climb. Unfortunately, we timed it wrong. On the last time up the climb, I surged and dropped Erinne. Anne and I were left to try to close Alex's gap of 14 seconds before the finish line. With 800 m to go, Anne attacked and I blew. We finished Alex in first, Anne in second, and myself in thrid.

Meanwhile in the peloton, Merrill Collins broke free from group with 1 1/2 laps to go and finished 5th. Laura Yoisten finished 3rd in the group sprint, bringing her into 8th overall.

On a personal note, thank you for your emails/phone calls of congrats...this race was very important for me and my goal to make the Worlds team...it was really nice to have everyone's support!! :-)