Tours Grand Prix

This was my second Grand Prix race with my team Chateauroux. It was my teammates (Magalie Di Marco) final race in her long and successful career. She won the bronze medal in Sydney, retired, had a child and returned to the sport very successfully. I really wanted us, as a team, to race our best and help make Magalie's final race memorable.

We were called out to the start line very early and it was cold. The carpet on the pontoon was warm so Magalie and I laid down to keep warm. It turned out to be a funny photo opportunity. I had a good start was able to get a clean line on the outside because we were so far left on the start line. I came out of the water in the first group and pushed the pace immediately on the bike. However, this only lasted for a lap or two as everyone just started sitting up. Absolutely no work was being done. I was riding at the front, and going easy. I was wondering if anyone behind me was even pedaling?! There were a few attacks on the bike that I got involved in, but nothing stuck. On the last lap, the group behind us caught up that had a couple good runners from Bauvais.

The run didn't go out as fast as Paris GP, but there were some very good girls pushing the pace. The run was two loops and was half on uneven grass. I wanted to really push the pace on the grass and pick of a few girls. I was able to move past 5 girls on the first loop. On the second lap I was running in a small group with Katherine Mueller and Magalie. Magalie is a very strong runner, I was already hurting like "h-e-double hockey sticks" after pushing the grass section, but I saw it as an opportunity to go somewhere new that I haven't been before with my run. So I said a big HELLO to pain, and continued to push the pace.

Just before the grass section I had faded a bit; Magalie and Katherine were up the road about 10m. The final grass section was brutal, I thought I'd be able to close the gap, but it was staying the same. Finally, I saw one of the coaches from Chateauroux and he was absolutely screaming at me, "ALLER ALLER ALLER ALICIA!! ALLER!!!", so "allered";) I absolutely poured everything I had left to pass Katherine (who races for Poissy) and cross the line in 11th place. The pain was worth it because Chateauroux placed 3rd! If I had not passed Katherine we would have tied for 3rd with Poissy. With all these points and team standings on the line, it reminds me a lot of running cross country in University. You have to be hungry to pass every person you can! In French Grand Prix racing, your top three athletes count towards points. My teammates Ricarda Lisk was 6th and Magalie Di Marco was 10th. It was a great day!

I'm very excited with the result, and very happy for our team. I was also happy to be a part of Magalie's final race in her very successful career. I have this weekend off of racing after four weekends in a row. Phew! My next race is World Championships in Hungary.