Liberazione disappointment

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Rochelle took second in Liberazione(Image credit: Rochelle Gilmore)

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I floated through the bunch along with all of the other sprinters while many riders and teams attempted breakaways. I had confidence in my team to chase everything down although they really did have their work cut out at one point when a group of about 20 quickly moved out of sight. It was a great feeling when I looked ahead through the winding roads and could see four or five of my team mates strung out on the front swapping off turns - for me! I felt relaxed and comfortable throughout the race.

With a couple of kilometres to go it was all up to me; my team had pulled the break back and had absolutely exhausted themselves in the process! I can't clearly remember the final kilometres, but what I can remember is my position with 200m to go - BOXED! My own fault of course, but there is no worse feeling at the end of a race when you have great legs but your mind lets you down. What was I thinking? Was I thinking? I should have moved earlier - I had the legs, but maybe not the confidence! My front wheel was between Regina and Giorgia's back wheels, and instead of backing out I pushed, hoping a gap would open. With 100m to go I had no choice but to back out, enough time to pass Giorgia but unfortunately not Regina!