I kept myself up far too late last night, agonizing over where to watch OHN today. Intent on seeing both the women’s and men’s races, I poured over the race books, Google maps, and train schedules until I realized that there was just one climb that both races would tackle: the Wolvenberg. I’d never heard of this climb before but because it was walkable (by my very generous definition) from the Oudenaarde train station, it was a no brainer. As much as I love meeting riders at sign on or seeing the inevitable ear-to-ear grin on the winner’s face during the podium ceremony, nothing beats experiencing the peloton on a climb.
Having arrived characteristically early, I walked a few kilometers along the course in the cold, crisp morning until the one and only pub I’d passed opened. I could only follow the women’s race on twitter as–typically, disappointingly–there was no live TV coverage whatsoever.
With no idea as to whether the peloton would be all together or split open two thirds through the 123 kilometer stage, it was both exciting and frustrating to be totally in the dark.
Jessie Daams held a slim 30 second lead on the field.
With teams like Orica AIS and Boels Dolmans leading the chase, solo Daams never stood a chance.
Tiffany Cromwell.
Lizzie Armitstead, debuting the rainbow stripes, was safely tucked behind her Boels Dolmans teammates.
Despite the dry conditions, Coryn Rivera’s kit revealed the messy nature of racing.
Climbing.
Alice Barnes.
Hayley Simmonds.
Gabrielle Pilote-Fortin.
I ran back to the pub to take advantage of their wifi and naively hoping the final kilometers–if not the finishing straight–would be televised. Twitter updates were sporadic but consistently described Armitstead as looking strong and constantly working her way to the front. When she did make a move, it stuck and the world champion took victory in her first race of the season.