Hi Everyone, Just thought i'd send an update of what's going on here in the big old USA cycling scene.I have just completed my first big race with my new team, team FUJI at the Bike Jam/ Kelly Cup criterium in Baltimore, Maryland.A pretty standard, average style Crit coarse, 1 mile loop around a wide park, with a few tight turns, and a false flat finish.. however the coarse was the only thing about that race that was standard! Coming up to the startline i was mega surprised at the amount of women!! At a guess, i'd say 70!! All the big U.S women's teams were there, all trying to push everyone out of the way, and get their best start off the line.The aim for our team was to get our fast sprinter Christina Dekraay up to the front of the bunch on the closing laps for the sprint finish, so i tried to hold position from the line as best as i could for the kick off.The whisle blew, and after alot of knocking of bikes, shoulders, and a few dumb crashes we were away.I was mid bunch and comfortable for the first few lap, with the whole bunch strung out like a piece of string, as riders tried to attack, and teams chasing them down.My team mate Elizabeth stayed close to the front and chased down alot.My job was to watch out for Christina and Sarah, who could get top 10 in their race with their powerful sprints.Then it happened.. the wind picked up, the clouds came in, and then the ..um, everything hit the fan! The barricades blew into the middle of the road along with the barricade string.Our bunch was on 50kph when we saw what was in front.Women yelled, some screamed, breaks slammed.And the pile up was inevitable.I went over my bars, but ended up on the side walk on the grass...shaken, but not stirred.I wish i could say the same for my teammate Missy, who landed neck first on a wheel in front of her, and is still in hospital as i write.Around half the field who crashed got a lap out, and we jumped back in with 18 laps out of 25 to go.From then on, it was scary riding.The pace never dropped below 45kph, but lines were lost, riders went down all over as the rain and wind continued.I avoided all and stayed safe until one lap to go.I was moving to the front of the bunch with 3 of my team mates in tow..I felt confident i could get Christina a good position for the Sprint.Then it happened again. With one lap to go A barricade flew into the middle of the road on a tight turn,,, and another pile up went down, with me and 2 more of my teammates beheath it!! 1 lap to go and no more free laps! very frustrating.None of us were hurt, and those of us who could scrambled to get out bikes and get away to try and recatch the bunch.. wishfull thinking..We rolled in in hte 2nd bunch.I was so happy to get that race over with, and i think my bike handelling skills have gone up a notch from it! But the best news is that Christina came around the crash, stayed in the bunch, and sprinted to 5th, and a good wad of cash!! Laura Van Gilder (team Quark) won the race, to noone's surprise.Our next race will be Somerville Crit in New Jersey, and then the Liberty Classic in Philidelphia next week.Rubber side up, and i think i can nail some good finishes!! Rosy Mccall
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