Women’s Spring Program Reports from Belgium

Joanie Caron is racing in Europe this spring as part of the Canadian Cycling Association’s Spring program, and sent us this race report for the G.P. Dottignies:

160 riders in the start, great teams, great field. The course was a flat 50 kilometers with two climbs, narrow sections and one cobbled section. After that, we entered in a circuit race for seven laps of a flat 10 kilometer route.

Our directions were to race as hard as we could for the first 50 kilometers because we knew that after every difficulty there would be groups formed. And this is what happened. Right from the gun, the pace was very high and riders very aggressive. Small breaks occurred after the two climbs, with being caught a few kilometers after.

So, after the second climb which is the major one, a group of 40 girls formed and I was there. There was also a second group not far who finally merged in a circuit race to form a big group. After the groups entered the circuits, there have been a few attacks. Amber Neben got solo with two laps to go, but get caught. Obviously, Cervelo was setting the finish for their top finisher, Kirsten Wild.

At the last lap, the groupo was compacto and Cervelo train took the lead to bring Kirsten Wild the win. Two Italians completed the podium, Georgia Bronzini and Monia Bacaille.

I had a flat after 40 kilometers and because of the narrow flat roads and the high pace never could comeback and ended in the third group. Good training and very good appreciation of my fitness. Denise Ramsden was the only Canadian in the front group.

Next race: Drenthe van Dingeloo in Netherlands on Thursday

The team is composed of the following athletes:
o Heather Logan (ON)
o Joanie Caron (QC)
o Moriah MacGregor (BC)
o Amy Dearden (BC)
o Leah Kirchmann (MB)
o Denise Ramsden (ON)

Based in Tielt-Winge, Belgium until May 31, the team is focused on a number of races including:
o April 8 Drentse 8 van Dwingeloo, UCI 1.1
o April 10 Unive Ronde van Drenthe, UCI WC
o April 11 Novilon Eurocup Ronde van Drenthe, UCI 1.1
o April 17 Ronde van Gelderland, UCI 1.2
o April 21 Fleche Wallonne Feminine, UCI WC
o April 24 Omloop Door Middag-Humsterland WE, UCI 1.2
o April 25 GP Stad Roeselare, UCI 1.1
o May 1 GP Elsy Jacobs, UCI 1.1
o May 2 GP de Luxembourg, UCI 1.2