The women's team concluded their season with the UCI 1.1 Tour de Gatineau in Ottawa, Ontario. Joined by two guest riders, Evelyn Gagnon and Jenna Nestman, who shared their experience at the race and with Red Truck Racing.
Evelyn Gagnon
Last weekend I had the opportunity to race Tour de Gatineau. Last time I did that race was in 2017, I got dropped on the circuit after laps in the park and managed to finish inside the time limit. This year, 8 months after giving birth, I had a different approach for that race. I wanted to have fun (if that’s possible when your heart rate is 190bpm) and be proud of myself. I was nervous at the start but happy at the same time. Race started and it was super hard to get to the front. After 2 laps I thought if I can do half of the race I will be happy. Then the half way point arrived and I was still « comfortable » so I thought maybe I could actually finish it in the front group!! That’s what happened and I was very proud of myself! After the race, Sarah, DS extraordinaire was there to congratulate us with her positive energy!
The next day was the crit, something I love and hate at the same time! The day started wonderfully with a coffee in Chelsea with the team and some riding in the beautiful Gatineau park. The crit started and it was a fast race from the gun. I was super pleased to see 2 teammates in the group who weren’t able to make the selection the day before, what a way to finish the weekend strong!!
After a big crash 15min from the end, my confidence wasn’t there anymore and I got drop with 2 laps to go. I’m still proud because it was one of the fastest crit I’ve done in my life.!
This weekend reminded me why I love racing and why I love being in a team of badass women!
Really enjoyed my few days in Red and already excited to meet again with these ladies next year in a race !
Jenna Nestman
Tour De Gatineau, The only two women’s UCI race’s left in Canada! Emma Dressler, Cynthia Pham and Myself (Guest Rider and Alumni - Jenna Nestman), started day one off with the race of TRUTH, the Tour De Gatineau Individual Time Trial UCI 1.1. The 10km loop was unrelenting, with very technical corners, 7 speed bumps, rough payment, a kicker’ of a hill, that was all completed twice for an overall distance of 20 km's. I was very pleased with how I executed my race, keeping the first half in check, really nailing the third quarter of the race and bringing it home with a strong finish. An absolute win for me was railing corners like never before, truly living on the razors edge and finding every second of valuable speed available. Stopping the clock with a time good enough for 6th, in a World class field, chalked full of Olmpians, TDF riders and World tour Pros alike.
Next up was the Tour De Gatineau RR UCI 1.1, run on the same course as the Time Trial, however this time 12 laps, for a total of 120 km’s! With a blistering pace set from the gun it made for a very hard race. Attack, after attack, after attack, shelling riders through the very technical sections and every single hill climb. The field started with over 100 women, just 62 riders finished and only 45 women were in the reduced lead group. In the end it came down to a bunch sprint, where I placed 20th as the top finisher for our Red Truck squad.
tt was an unforgettable weekend and having the support of Sarah Coney as our DS for the weekend was absolutely amazing, she made it so easy on us. Being able to race in Red again alongside these strong women was such a gift, the community feel on this team is truly, truly unmatched.