I'm standing in front of my drawer full with cycling clothes. What do I need for today? It is my first race of the year and it feels strange, there is no rhythm yet...During the season you don't have to think of what you want to wear, what you want to eat or what you do before, during and after the race. You are in a flow, a rhythm of racing.

So in front of my drawer I started to think, shall I take new racing clothes or the old ones? New racing helmet, new racing socks? Long gloves or short gloves? Pfff, finially I left with my bag totally full of clothes. But only 10min away from home I knew what I had forgotten, my rain coat. So I hoped for dry weather.

Photo's: sportfoto.nl

The whole day went on like that, no flow, no rhythm. Where was my little box with safety pins to attach my race number on my back?? It should be in my Leontien.nl bag! During the race I grabbed my food bar out of the pocket of my racing shirt. Aaarghhh, I had forgotten to open it before the race started!! So after 10 times trying to open it, I gave up and took an energy gel out of my other pocket. I can open this one during the race, at least I was that smart to take also some energy gels with me.

And also my team mates had troubles with finding the right flow, we didn't manage to organize the race in the right way. We made some strategic mistakes, but don't worry, we will find our rhythm again!! Next weekend is the next race!!

Result:

1. Grace Verbeke Lotto Ladies Team 02:25:00
2. Marie Lindberg Red Sun Ladies Cycling Team zt
3. Emma Johansson Red Sun Ladies Cycling Team 01:35
4. Chantal Blaak Leontien.nl zt.