Jennie Stenerhag

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Three races in Småland

2010-08-17

On Friday I drove down south in Sweden to Småland and the tourist destination and western village High Chaparral. On the area we had a crit race of 30 minutes + 5 laps. One lap was 1,3km including one short sharp hill and lots of corners, so a technical course that suited me. We were only 10 girls and I wanted a high speed from the start and since it is easiest to take the corners first I went to the front for 2 laps, then let Monica lead for one lap, but found it too slow, so on lap 4 I took the speed up a little more and the others could not follow so I went on my own, that was a sprint lap as well so got that one and the second sprint a bit later. I stayed away on my own and since I never got any times on the others I kept the speed high. So I was a bit surprised when I started my last lap and caught the others and lapped them!! I have never been in that situation before! It was a nice feeling to finish, start with the interview and then see the others go out on their last lap!

After dinner in one of the saloons we drove to a small town called Burseryd for race number 5 and 6 in the national series, I was for the first time this season riding in the yellow leaders jersey. It was a short crit on Saturday and a road race on Sunday, and we were a few more girls! I didn’t like the crit race since I was very watched and as soon as I tried to do something a few girls just stopped me instead of working together to get away. One girl got away on the second last lap and I had worked hard trying to catch at the end and had nothing for the sprint, got 5^th and a bit disappointed with that. Kept the jersey tho..

Sundays race was a bit better, it was a fun course, lots of ups and downs and 3km on a gravel road!!! Early in the race we got a break of 8 girls and we worked hard during the race. We finished with a 800 meter long hill and when Madde attacked I went to catch her and I was getting closer as we approached the finish, I thought I could pass but just before Monica and Jessica came from behind in a fast sprint, that took me by surprise cause non of them are climbers so did not think they would be there. When I realised the victory was gone I think I gave up a bit so got 4^th…. Still kept the jersey.

Am very happy with my feeling this weekend, had good legs in all 3 races and felt strong, even tho I am not happy with the results. Next on the program is Trophe d’Or in France, a 5 day (6 stages) UCI 2.2 race, starting on the 24^th of August. There will be a South African team there as well, I am really looking forward to that race.

Oh, and last week I found accommodation in Die Boord, Stellenbosch, South Africa, very happy for that and starting to really look forward to SA again!!