Newsgroup: it.sport.ciclismo
Titolo: Merco experience (Reflections)

While I posted the photos, I didn't have time to write the story. It's a
short story, but it was fun time, all things considered. After being in a
very rainy pattern, again like last year, a small window came on Saturday
with brilliant sunny skies, warm temps and clean air.  Perfect 70 degree
temps, the girls were absolutely stoked for the occasion. I took some photos
as the girls starting filing in for warm-ups before the main race. Many of
the top teams decided to ride around instead of using rollers, so I missed
some good photos. I missed Webcor, but opted to take what I could get when
they were pinning their numbers curve side. I chatted with Christine
Thorburn for the space of a few minutes. I congratulated her on her worlds
TT ride, and we chatted for a moment about the article I wrote.  I wished
them all luck on their exploits for the day.
I just happened to be in the right place at the right time when the T-Mobile
van pulled up, but the manager has let them out early to ride around, and
then a few minutes later, they came riding up. I saw Chantal right away, she
is soooooooooo tall! I stroked their egos for a few minutes and had a great
time chatting with Chantal. I told Chantal that I had the worlds where she
took 2nd place, and she was really surprised that I had a copy! I told her
that I had interacted quite a bit with Sissy and Leontien in the past, and
Chantal asked me if I had seen her new website. I said yes and that it was
great, and she had actually asked me twice about it, I think she was real
keen on getting the word out about her new site. I also talked with Kim
Anderson for a while, she is really sweet too. Susan was busy with her
numbers and I don't think her English was that good, so I mostly just worked
with Susan on some photos. She seems to be really focused and worried about
getting her numbers right. The team photo was great, the best photo for the
day by far. I wished the girls well and told them to watch out for the S
curve, as that is where the riders stack it up.
I also saw last years winner Laura Charameda, and took a photo of her with
the team. She has a nice smile, and seems quite pleasant. Laura crashed out
in the last lap, but Laura is older crafty seasoned veteran who palmares go
way back, quite impressive as she was 2nd or 3rd in the worlds back in the
mid 90's. Also I ran into Rachel Heal and chatted for a few minutes and got
a photo just before the start. The women's pros 1-2 didn't start on time, as
a rider crashed from the previous race and laid on the pavement for at least
a half hour as paramedics worked on him. So the women started about 45
minutes late because of the delay. Brooke Millar, an up and coming rider
sprinted well clear of everyone for the day, surprising even the Dutch, as
Chantal noted on her site, that the Americans had sent some powerful
sprinters for the occasion. T-Mobile manager had told me that the plan was
to set up Susan for the sprint, but in the end, Susan just didn't have
enough push to overcome Brooke. The podium for the women was done right
away, instead of later so I was keen to stay there for that.
Basically T-Mobile, Lipton and Webcor took turns pulling at the front and
all the top girls pretty much stayed at the front of the pack the whole
race, avoiding crashes, as none of them wanted to get pinched in the S
curve. Chantal was at or near the front almost the entire race, and she
looked really strong. She is a tall rider, incredibly fit, really cute too,
sexy, blonde and have that cool Dutch accent. She is heart throb for sure, a
beautiful sexy rider. She really looks like a pro too, she looks extremely
professional compared to everyone else, she stands out. However Susan looked
really good too for the day, Double Dutch! She the Dutch treat! We were
treated to the Dutch treat!
All in all, it was the Dutch who gave spice to the day, but the crowds were
good. Everyone was in sink, the air was festive, barbecues and fun all
around as people were eating, and taking it all in on a day with beautiful
skis and great temps. I think the riders have their pecking order too, as
the Dutch were like guests in the race, and they two Dutch girls were given
the top spots right in front in the center, and all the other girls kind of
respected them by giving them space, as least until the things got serious
near the end, and then of course, everything goes out the window, but often,
it was Thorburn, De Goode and Heal who flanked the front as the Gods of
cycling for the day.
It was all in all, it was great fun for the day!
http://www.procyclingwomen.com/Merco.html
B-
ps-Tip for Megalon, ask the girls to take off their helmets for photos, if
appropriate and if there is enough time pre race or post. It make for a much
more personal photo, as most of mine are with helmets. Best before the race,
before they become sweat soaked and their pretty hair is frazzled. :-)

"GoneBeforeMyTime" <Fa...@EuroForums.com> wrote in message
news:KLidnT64rZ08AXDY...@sti.net...
I also got a chance to chat with Linda Jackson for a space of a few minutes
about her exploits in the 90's. She was quite friendly and came as a manager
for Brooke Millar, the winner of Merco!
B-