Flatlandia Leland Kermesse RR - Leland, IL

Flatlandia Leland Kermesse Road Race 2010

I took 2nd place in women's cat4! In my opinion, this was one of the toughest road races in the area. There is nothing like it. The Kermesse is a country race. It's pure and down to earth . If you lose the pack you are faced with fighting it all, flat roads, heavy rough gravel and high winds. Last year, this was the 1st road I did. This year, a larger women's field, more gravel roads and extra miles where added. This was the 1st race that we as a women's team raced together.

The women's open field did 4 laps and women's 4 did 3 lap (40miles). It was decided we could all work together too. We positioned our 4 person team up front (Leah, Molly, me and Kristen) I was VERY nervous about the gravel section. We worked very good together as Kristen, Leah and Molly did rotations up front and I positioned in back of them. Funny.. Kristen said " you are in a good position... no one can draft behind you anyway. "

We hit the gravel section, I saw Leah and Kristen take off. The pace picked up. I was not confident on the gravel. I held behind the cat.1,2,3 pack while the entire cat4's pack was left behind except for me and one other cat4 rider stayed together. Pace picked up even more on the gravel section and we lost the main field. Me and another cat4 rider rode together for a while. We picked up an additional cat3 rider. She worked with us as we caught back up with the second field of cat 1,2,3 .

Towards the finish, it was me and this other women for 1st and 2nd place. As we turned left before the finish line, I stayed behind her wheel. I thought I had enough for a sprint. As soon as I got up to sprint, it just wasn't going to happen. Lesson learn... this is not how I'm going to win a race. Have to use my strenghts. I know what I would differently next time and that is most important.

Teamies.... great work. It's nice not to be alone out there. I didn't think I would make it through the gravel if I didn't see your faces. Kristen Meshberg took 1st in the women's open. Leah had an awesome field sprint. Molly way to go on leading good team tactics. Looking forward to our years racing together. Also, Thank you to everyone who cheered us on, watching from the side lines. I know I shook my head at many of you. You dont wanna know what I was thinking.

Next up ... Halescorner and Fitchberg