Emma Silversides Podium's in Belgium

Author:

Stuart

Professional Cyclist and Sports OxyShot Amabassador Emma Silversides gives us the latest update on her season and the details of her first podium finish this year. Let's hope it's the first of many to come.

"It’s been another busy month, the majority of which has been spent away from home. It’s always a fine balance remaining healthy when traveling and racing so much. Unfortunately, I didn’t always manage this in July.
I began the month very positively in Belgium with my first podium of the year. I felt very strong in the race and was very aggressive. With a team mate in the break I remained aggressive until the very end knowing that she could save her legs for the sprint. She did in style, taking the win and I was very happy to take 3rd place even with all my efforts throughout the race.

Soon after this I left for Czech to compete in a 4 day stage race in and around Krasna Lipa. This was a fantastic opportunity and a great experience. It was a tough race as lot of the Olympic riders used it as preparation for Beijing. It didn’t get off to a promising start for me as I began the first stage with sickness and diarrhea. This continued into the second day and all I could do was finish these stages within the time limit in the hope that I would be feeling better for the next stages. Amazingly, I came good for the fourth stage bagging a top twenty in the bunch sprint. I then saw myself in the fragmented peloton on the last day (only 40 riders remaining after a tough 99km). I was happy to be in good company with the big teams and top riders after what my body had being dealing with.

With the tour over and a nine hour drive back to Belgium I suddenly felt drained! I made every effort to rest during the coming days but nausea forced me to visit the doctors and take a course of tablets to treat the ‘stomach virus’ that was attacking me.
I waited a full week before racing again but even then the sensation was not good; almost like running without fuel. I fought hard in the race and took many positives; I felt awful but attacked and rode away from the bunch to get a very creditable 5th place. This bodes well for the next Belgian kermis when I feel 100%!

My next destination was France, more specifically Limousin. This is a stunning region in central France, not short of hills! With tough competition from the top French teams and a strong Russian squad among many others this tour was sure to be challenging. It started well as I rode stage one aggressively and led out my team mate for a top ten in the sprint. I had great legs again in stage 2; I made the front group selection over the first 7km climb and was feeling strong. However, my luck was out as I took a puncture! In the narrow lanes it was not possible to take a spare immediately; in fact I had to wait 5 minutes for service! All hopes of a good result were out of the window; I resigned myself to this fact and resolved to make up for it in the last stage! This I did! I saw myself in 3 breaks, taking mountain and sprint points and still having the energy to finish in the front group of 30. The progress that I have made this year really hit me in Limousin. Last year I survived these races, this year I am mixing it with the top girls, and I find it VERY promising.

I returned to Belgium straight after the tour and was requested by Lotto (team sponsor) to race a criterium the following day. Not ideal, but necessary! I again made the front selection with respectable 19th place, not a bad effort after 4 days of racing in France and a 7 hour drive home!

The travels continue next month- Germany, Holland and France again! With good health and good legs I look to continue to mix it up with the world’s best".

Check back again next month for Emma's next update.

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