WEEK 29

WEEK 29 (Thursday June 20, 2006)

EXCITING CHAMPIONSHIP PERIOD

We are now entering a very exciting and challenging period of cycling championships. Four international championships in five weeks, in three different countries, on three different continents, await us. It demands full concentration on every level from both of us.

The mountainous region here in Alpago (Gerne) is giving us the very best, as we love to cycle through fantastic nature, we revel in Italian cuisine, we enjoy the company of happy and lively people, and we also find 35 degrees and blazing sunshine to be delightful. It’s amazing to be living here on one of the narrow streets in this little village in typical Italian style. Beautiful and deafening.

We’re here in Italy, where we will be taking part in the European Championships in both Marathon and Cross Country cycling. We cycled through the Marathon track yesterday and had a fantastic experience on our mountain bikes. It is a tough and demanding track which is very dry at present, making it extremely quick despite many metres of climbing and descending. Some down-hills are technically demanding because of the high speeds and firm ground.

A change was made in my race schedule because of problems joining up with the Thüringen Rundfart which started this week. I was able to join a Japanese road racing team for Tour de Bretagne Feminin which was held last week, and we therefore had to change our plans slightly. All the time we have stated that if we were to make minor changes and adjustments to our programme, they would have to apply for 2006, so here we are, ready to also take part in the European Championships in Marathon cycling.

Regarding training benefits, I gained what I had hoped for from six stages on-road last week. Good high speed training without getting totally worn out. My restitution isn’t quite completed after the race, but I expect that two relaxed days so far will ensure that the “good feeling” returns. We’ll have a final evaluation after training on Saturday to see whether it’s a good idea to take part in the race on Sunday. I don’t want to take part in a European Championship with no-good legs, especially regarding the period of racing that we are now entering into.

Today we’ve been followed around by “Sportsmagasinet”, i.e. the Sports Magazine, from the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet, from the moment we got up till bedtime. They have followed us through a typical day of training in preparation for an important race. The most important thing in a racing period like this one is to focus on restitution. Every hour is important for conserving energy and to rest.

A short summary of the last weeks: After our period of training at Boulder, Colorado, we went directly to Canada and Mt. Sainte Anne to take part in a new World Cup race. I wasn’t strong enough to beat the home favourite, Mari Helen Premont, and had to make do with second place. Our goal was to be amongst the top three, and this we managed.

After that we flew home via Beijing, a looooooong flight for a tired body, but one is prepared to put up with a lot when one is headed homeward after nine weeks of travelling. I had all of ten days at home while Kenneth got an extra week while I took part in stage races in France. I met up with Kenneth again in Frankfurt on our way to Venice on Monday. Alpago is a good 100 kilometres northwest of the idyllic city of canals.

Tomorrow will be a slow-paced day of training with some time on the rollers, and a relaxed session in the swimming pool. Apart from that, I’ll be relaxing on my bed, and most likely doing a whole lot of reading and writing. If you feel the allure of mountain biking on Italian soil and all the good and nice things that are part and parcel of a sojourn down here, just jump on the first airplane going this way. We had to make many stops along our way yesterday as we cycled through the Marathon track, just in order to enjoy the here and now J

Cyclist’s greetings from Gunn-Rita and Kenneth

Multivan Merida Biking Team