Marlene Sunshine Race C1, Int. d'Italia #2, Nalles ITA

8th position with technical problems

Today I raced in my Italian "home" race, the Marlene Sunshine Race in Nalles. After racing in the rain and cold in the last weeks, we finally had temperatures above 20 degrees! And... although finishing in 8th position "only", I finally felt good on the bike again, despite my training crash on Wednesday! 

In the first laps I was sitting in the leading group with Gutierrez and Tempier, but when I started having problems with my bike and realized that in the descents its stearing became more difficult each lap and, with Gutierrez riding away, I decided not to take any risks and to sit back and stay in 3rd postion. The chasing group behind me closed the gap on me and like this we stayed more or less together for the final laps and I eventually finished in 8th position.

I was surprised by the fact that I had recovered so well from my training crash and I had almost no problems with my hurt back. Right in time my body seems to respond better to the cross county racing style! I believe I am on the right way for the upcoming World Cup race in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, next weekend!