Our Red Truck team performed very well at the 2022 Redlands Bicycle Classic, a five day stage race in Redlands, California. The first stage was the Highland circuit race (14 laps and 67km), second stage was the City of Yucaipa road race (4 laps, 100km), third stage was a 15km time trial, fourth stage was a 75min criterium, and last but not least the final stage was the infamous Sunset road race (110km). We started the first stage with 75 pro 1/2 women.
Day one started off with the challenging Highland circuit race that consisted of a 4.5km loop that consisted of short but steep climb with the finish line at the top, followed by a fast descent and then a technical section through a neighborhood. This is the first year that this race has been the first stage. The nature of the hard technical course dwindles the peloton down. The race started off fast and I was feeling quite strong climbing near the front of the group. We did 14 laps of this course and with 6 laps to go I was caught up in a crash. A rider hit a wheel, and swerved hard left. I thought at this point I was safe but then she overcorrected and came back hard right and her pedal got stuck in my front wheel and took me down. I then got up as fast as I could and saw my chain was twisted in loops. The Shimano support mechanic jumped out and got me sorted and I was up and back chasing in just a few minutes. I chased solo for the remainder of the laps and was just outside the caravan. I was making up some ground but after a few laps of chasing I made the realization that I was just going to have to limit the time loss for general classification. I ended up finishing 39th and 3min back from the leader. I had many mixed feelings post-race as I had wanted more but it was out of my control and today I was unfortunately caught up in a crash. More days to come. Onto the next day: City of Yucaipa road race.
The City of Yucaipa road race consisted of racing 4 laps of a 23km circuit and then riding up Oak Glen, an 8km climb, for a hill top finish. This stage we climbed 2000m. The circuit down below started with us going downhill, and then we climbed back up. There was very little “flat” sections on the course. This race was fast and hard. There were very few actual “attacks” because the pace was set quite high. It was very hard and strung out as we rode up the circuit hill and then we would fly down the hills. There were also sprint points on laps one and two which Holly Simonson sprinted and scored 3rd and 1st respectively. On the third and fourth lap of the circuit, there were QOM points on the line at the top of the hill. This noticeably reduced the bunch and made it incredibly hard. The fourth time up the climb was by far the hardest time going up the hill. Fiona and I got detached from the lead group just slightly as we were just about to crest the hill but we worked together to get back on the group at the base of the final Oak Glen climb. The goal for many riders is to make it to the base of the climb with the group in order to ensure they make time cut which is 15% of the winners' time. I then climbed at a pace I could sustain for 30 minutes at maximal effort. The bunch was already very reduced and then the climb broke it up further. Fiona and I were catching riders who went out too hot and I ended up finishing in 23rd on the second day. I was completely exhausted at the top. I had to ride around until I was sure when I clipped out I could hold my weight. It was a very chaotic finish because we were ahead of the elite boys and we were on the final climb at the same time so there were riders literally everywhere on the road. This moved me up to 22nd in GC. Onto the next day: TT
The time trial was just under 15km and it was an out and back course. It was downhill on the way out and uphill back up the finish with 35-55 mph gusts of wind. When I headed to this race I was prepared to race on my road bike with aero bar extensions, as logistically it was too complicated to get my TT bike to Redlands. However, my guest teammate, Jane, who was unfortunately time cut on the previous stage, allowed me to use her TT bike. I got to the race early so I could take the time to get the seat height adjusted properly and get comfortable on this new bike. Often, riding a new bike for the first time is the last thing anyone should do at a race but I was willing to take the risk as it was a course a TT bike was very advantageous on. This almost got me even more excited about racing as it put me in better contention for a result. On the way out it was a head cross wind and on the way back tail cross wind. It was so windy my Lazer helmet was lifting off my head. I had to keep pushing it down because the wind was just that strong (yes, I did have it on tight). I had to grasp my bike and engage my core so much to ensure I stayed up right. I had a 80mm front wheel and a rear disc so I was like a sail. I found it difficult to actually go hard on the way out because I was so focused on staying on my bike. I really concentrated on being aero, efficient and taking a good line through the twists of the road. I was then able to push harder on the way back up the hill. I was so pleased with my result of 6th place on the stage. Holly Simonson also placed 9th so this was our first two top ten finishes of the week. Holly told me afterwards that placing top ten was her secret goal of the race weekend so we were both so stoked for each other! I am SO grateful for Jane’s generosity with lending me her bike because I know 110% that I would not have been able to pull off this result without it. This is one of many occasions during this week that we see our teammates helping each other out. We are one team and we help each other succeed. Something that is so special and unique. Onto the next day: Criterium
We love criteriums and get so excited for them. The crowds that gather and the team support at the race makes us so energetic. The race bible describes this race course as 9 corners, highly technical on narrow roads. This describes it very well. It is one of the most technical criteriums I have ever raced. Going into this race we had a race plan to help Holly Simonson get into the green jersey. She was in second place, only three points behind the leader. There were 4 intermediate sprints that she could score points on and then also at the finish. We went in committed to this plan and excited to execute. We found out early on this course was incredibly hard to move up in position on. There was only one long straight away which was the home straight and it was always full gas through this section. The high number of corners meant the bunch was strung out from the beginning. This made it so vital to be up front otherwise you waste so much energy chasing on after exiting each corner. The pace was set super high from the beginning so it was attrition. Riders were getting dropped and pulled left, right and center. I had an eye for Holly in the race and we rode together and followed each other’s wheels. We unfortunately were unable to position well for the sprint points so we deviated from our plan later in the race and tried to focus on the finish. With five laps to go Holly was on my wheel and we were pushing but feeling good. It was challenging being the two of us up front competing against other teams with lead out trains with 6 riders. We were managing though and sitting in good position. On the final lap, unfortunately there was a crash to the left and forward from us which caused us to hesitate slightly. I looked back to ensure holly was still there. We had three corners left until the finish so at this point there were no more opportunities to move up. It was all left to the finishing straight which was 150m. I was able to sprint to finish in 7th and Holly sprinted to 10th. To put this race into a bit of perspective, I caught Holly saying “this race was even harder than Gastown.” We wanted more but we did what we could. I knew going into this race, exiting the final corner in second wheel would be ideal. For this to happen we would have had to move up much earlier in the race. My wheels began to turn thinking about the next day as it was the same finish. I moved up to 18th in GC after today. Onto the FINAL day: Sunset road race.
The Sunset Road race is well known for being incredibly hard. Today we started the race with 49 riders. We began this week with 75, so 26 riders were time cut or unable to finish. The race starts down at the criterium course and then goes about 5km uphill into the circuit that continues to climb for another 4km. We complete 9 laps of 10km loop up top and then race back down to the criterium course where we complete a final three laps. I was so excited for this final day as I felt like I was riding into the final day well. My recovery had been good throughout the week and I was feeling strong. I was hungry for a result. I had two top ten places but I wanted a bit more. In previous years, the race had been “neutral” up to the circuit where we complete the nine loops but this year the race started from the bottom. To top that off we also had QOM points on the first climb of the circuit which made the pace that much higher. To best explain the loop I would describe it as a 5-6 min hard climb with steep pitches, into a false flat hill, then a fast downhill into a very technical tight and twisty section. This section felt like a criterium. It was so important to be at the front through this section to avoid danger and to conserve energy because after this section we then began climbing again. The first time up the climb, the pack was already all over the place. After a few laps the lead group was down to 15 riders. I just focused on climbing as efficiently as I could. I didn’t know the group was so small until I took a look back after a couple laps. I was just so focused on staying near the front I didn’t know what was happening at the back. After one of the QOM sprints a break of two got away and I was out of position to go along. I was the only RTR racer left in this bunch so it was not my responsibility to chase this break back. The yellow jersey was still in the group with me so her team lead the chase. Each lap I made sure to get ice socks from the feed zone to keep my temperature down. It was an incredibly hot day so this was a big contributor to helping me manage the heat. When there were two laps left of the loop I realized I will make it to the circuit with the main group...I was so happy. My mindset immediately shifted to setting myself up for the sprint as best I could. At this point we were not bringing the break back but it was also very unlikely others would get away. We flew down the hill at 86km/h after finishing the loops and headed to the finishing circuit. I knew what I had to do to win this bunch sprint. I had to be second through that corner so that is what I did. I came out of that corner SO determined to win this sprint. It was mine. I sprinted as hard as I could and did not let up until I crossed that line in 3rd!! I was in such disbelief I had just podiumed at the Sunset Road Race. Back in 2019 when I first attended Redlands with Red Truck I never made it to this stage so to finish third meant so much to me. I did a quick lap and then spotted my teammates (Brenna, Holly, Fiona) on the sidelines so I went straight to them and gave them HUGE hugs. They were SO happy for me…Brenna told me she shed tears of happiness when I crossed that line. Holly was smiling ear to ear, and Fiona’s voice was raspy from cheering. I was just in so much disbelief. I am so proud of this result. I proved to myself that I can climb hills and I am right up there. I then phoned Steve and Brian who were up at the feed zone and had so many congratulations. One of my favourite quotes Steve said was “Brian and I knew you were going to win that sprint when we saw your eyes going through the feed zone the final time.” I wanted it so badly and I was determined which they could see from the sideline. I was also so motivated when I heard my teammates on the side of the road cheering me on. Girls and boys were out there supporting me cross that line.
I am so proud of our team. We finished the 2022 Redlands Cycling Classic and are all classified in GC. I ended up finishing 13th in GC. This team is truly so special. I know you hear it time and time again but it can’t be said enough. Although we may be a smaller team at this race, I am so thankful for everything Brian, Steve, Sarah (from afar), and Andrew (our mechanic) did to allow us to succeed this week. I am also so thankful for the sponsors' support who helped get us to the race and help provide us with the materials to be successful. I can promise you these memories are going to last a lifetime. This is just the start of our race season so we are so excited to build upon this. This week was very special for me and I cannot wait for what is ahead. I feel like I saw all the hard work I have been putting in this winter shine through this week. I am eager to get back on the race course with these girls in RED!!