Liberazione - wishful thinking!

A serious Rochelle Gilmore (Menikini-Gysko) (Image credit: Davide Tricarico)

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April is a terrible time of year in Italy for those who suffer with allergies related to pollen and the outdoor environment. Every year I arrive at the Liberazione race suffering with severe allergy symptoms: itchy throat, eyes, ears, nose, and sneezing. These symptoms are never a problem on the bike, they seem to disappear once I start focusing on the race. The pre-race symptoms do use up a lot of energy, so I guess it plays with my head a little.

There's not too much to say about the race, there were no threatening attacks and everyone was content to leave the race up to the sprinters, I was happy with the way the race went, fast but very cruisey. I punctured my front wheel with less than three laps to go but fortunately one of my team mates (Marina Romoli) was right next to me. We made a fast wheel change and then I started to chase the bunch alone. Another of my team-mates (Silvia Valsecchi) dropped back to help me work through the cars, she was extremely strong and had me back in the bunch within the next kilometre! I had recovered well with two laps to go and was confident about the sprint.

I took the last corner, 500m from the finish, in perfect position: a few riders back on the wheel of Giorgia Bronzini. I had been spoken to by many of the team staff about starting my sprint kick too late in the previous few races, so I was under pressure to try something new and start my sprint early. I learnt today that 350m was definitely too early! I gapped the bunch with a powerful kick but was in the seat struggling through the last 50m when I was swamped by riders. I finished about fifth or sixth and feel really bad about it. What a silly mistake! It was a very disappointing result given my good form and strong support from my team. Giorgia Bronzini went on to win but I have not seen the final results yet.