Hi folks,

I started the Ronde without knowing where I stood with my preparation; I had to cancel last weeks training because of an infection and I am still on antibiotica due to it.

During the first kilometers I felt really strong and was able to move to the front of the bunch just like I wanted to. In the last kilometers before the climb of the Molenberg some girls crashed on a very large road. It did luckily not bother me and I stayed in the first part of the bunch until, after about 36km, a rider started to slide and waggle right in front of me. Obviously I couldn’t avoid the collision when the rider fell.

While I stayed unharmed exept for the few small scratches, my front wheel floung into pieces as did my treadle when another girl hit my bike. With only one carbon treadle left, I had to quit the race.

But for the first time, I had the opportunity to follow the bunch in the team-car which is, during some moments, a lot more frightening than sitting on the bike actually doing the race!

I never actually knew that my husband was such a good rallye-driver!

Everyone who thinks that a sportsdirector has the easy part of the job is so dead wrong. The job requires nerves of steel and 200% of concentration all the time. Every rider should sit once in the teamcar and see for him-/herself what an amazing job the staff is doing for the team.

Thanks a lot Marc.

And also thanks to Ernst our belgian "soigneur" for the nice job he does for us.

I hope I can give you better news from the Drente next week!