June
Claire Thomas | Friday 2nd July, 2010
I returned to Scotland for the Scottish Road Race Championship at the end of May and had a problem changing to the big chain ring with my new chain fitted on the Thursday before the race. However, I am not sure that really affected my final placing as I was having problems breathing too. I dropped off the back of the lead group on the final lap and time trialled to the finish. I was 5th and 2nd Scot. Jane Barr, from Stirling Road Club, had a great ride and was 4th overall and took the Scottish title.
I then headed back to Belgium still feeling as lousy and after a visit to the sports doctor, it transpired I had bronchitis. After a course of medicine, I began to feel more like myself and took 6th at my next race.
I then headed to Holland with the Scottish team for Raboster Zeeuwesche Eilanden. This race proved I needed to go fresh into a race. I spent the 4 days prior to the race in the Ardennes and travelled to Holand directly from the Ardenne and did the TT that night. I had really heavy legs and my leg speed was way off the mark as was the line I took. I am now working on my time-trialling again! The next 2 days were all about positioning. Both days were littered with crashes and only 4 of the Scottish team finished. But at least I finished safely.
I headed back to Belgium the next day and was held up by a crash 1km from the finish and had to go deep to get back on to the peleton. I finished 13th and headed back to the UK for the Nationals after the race.
I felt really comfortable in the lead group with Pooley, Cook and Armistead after the race was shattered to pieces on the 1st climb. But at the end of the 1st lap we were told that the race was to be stopped after a serious crash.3 riders came off on a really windy descent and other riders chasing to get back on rode into the commisaire’s car. Eileen Roe, Kate Cullen, Anne Ewing, Laura Murray and Lucy Coldwell, all from Scotland were involved which was upsetting for them and the riders unaffected alike. After sitting on the roadside for 90 mins, racing started again and my legs were not good. I rode between the leading groups chasing and then after 3 of the 4 laps pulled out. A bit of a pity but I just didn’t feel I was achieving anything.
Now I am back in Oudennarde and raced today. I managed 9th place with Grace Verbeke (2010 Tour of Flanders Winner taking the win. I felt a lot better and fitter today having done my first motor pacing session with my Belgian boyfriend and doing a 173km ride in the sunshine early this week. I will race on Thursday and Saturday hopefully this week and maybe cycle to watch Tuesday’s Tour Stage about 40km away from here.
