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Monica Da Polenza debuts with the big boys @ Hillingdon (Photos now added) |
Monica Da Polenza debuts with the big boys @ Hillingdon
My first race!!
 On Saturday 23 rd January 2010 I did my first cycle race at Hillingdon in the 4 th category race. I had been watching Vinnie race the E/1/2 races but a cold had kept me from racing so I was really looking forward it, if a little nervous. Vinnie was there to use his strength to pump up my wheels, give me a few tips on road racing and words of encouragement like,’ try to hang in there in the bunch and don’t get dropped’... If only!!  My goal was just to hold on and finish with the bunch, which was about 50 men strong, with only three women.  The starter waved his flag and we were off. The race was very fast from the start and I drifted a bit towards the rear of the field. This was going to be tough. I saw one of the girls struggling and she slipped off the back of the bunch. I was still in there. Having not raced in a bunch before, I lost a bit of ground to riders on the more technical demanding bends on the circuit. So I was having to work extra hard to accelerate back up to speed and a few times had to chase down the bunch on the straight, after leaving a gap.  After twenty minutes or so I felt like I was no longer a stranger in the bunch, but felt a part of the bunch and belonged there. I was loving it!! Riders weren’t attacking much in the bunch as they didn’t seem to have the strength to escape the bunch, so the race stayed together. I thought about attacking as my legs felt strong. I thought about launching an attack and time trialling away, triathlon style head down and going for it!! But, I decided to save my energy for the finish. Unfortunately my lack of experience showed at the end, and despite Vinnie’s shouting words of encouragement I just lost contact with the back of the field going into the final lap. On the final lap I sprinted against one of the London Dynamo riders and he just beat me. I absolutely enjoyed the racing it was a massive thrill and I will be back again and next time the ‘Panther’ will attack!! As I warmed down a few students filming the race wanted to interview me about my racing experiences. I felt like a Pro rider after winning a big race!!.until they seemed more interested in my bike, taking photos of it rather than me! I can’t blame them as it was my new racing weapon the new AW Team bike a Giant Advanced SL 3, it’s bellissima!!  I can’t wait for next Saturday for more action!!! |
