Emma Mackie Races in the Women's Giro d'Italia, Part V

Emma Mackie's (Lotto-Belisol) fourth report in her own words:

Stage 4, Day 5

The Tuesday stage that was meant to be easy was not so easy! But I'm learning that every stage is hard here. I was happy with my 11th place although I thought I was top ten so will have to keep trying! Rochelle had a great sprint for 6th (3rd left below in white/black/red kit).

Stage 5, Day 6

Wednesday's stage was in the mountains and with the 16% cobbles at the end I was not looking forward to it. I was surprised to have a good feeling in the legs and sat in the peleton until the end where we focused on helping Lizzy (Elizabeth Armitstead ) to the base of the last climb in a good position to keep the young jersey.

Stage 6, Day 7

I'm literally falling asleep in my bed! Its 11.30pm and after a typical long Italian dinner that took over 2hrs! I have just come back from my massage and am ready to pass out! The last couple of days have really started to hit the legs on the girls and myself (far right below).

Today was one of the hardest days I've had on the bike yet! It was a long day in the saddle and of all days my legs just didn't want to work! After hitting the climb straight away I found myself going backwards. I managed to get into a group with a few other Aussies which was nice for a chat! On top of the climb one of then girls even came prepared with sunscreen in her back pocket! Ive never seen that pulled out before but i did jump at the chance to put some on....it was a bit of a laugh!

Hopefully I have saved myself enough for a good feeling tomorrow! Lizzy was also feeling it today but showed how strong she is and managed to keep the young jersey.

So, it was another long drive after the race but we ended up in a beautiful hotel with a swimming pool! I managed to have a quick dip before dinner.

I'm definitely starting to feel this long, hard, Giro in my legs and have found myself counting down the days until Rome!

Its bed time for me now....

Ciao,

Emma

Previous stories from and about Emma Mackie of the Lotto Belisol Ladies Team:

http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/2009/06/emma-mackie-races-in-womens-giro.html

http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/2009/06/emma-mackie-races-in-womens-giro_29.html

http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/2009/07/emma-mackie-races-in-womens-giro.html

http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/2009/07/emma-mackie-races-in-womens-giro_06.html

Stories, including cycling trip stories, for the Italian Cycling Journal welcome; contact veronaman@gmail.com

Emma Mackie Races in the Women's Giro d'Italia, Part III

Emma Mackie's (Lotto-Belisol) second report in her own words:

Prologue, Day 1:

It is finally here, the start of the GiroDonne! Leaving the airport at 10.30am from Belgium and looking at the weather forecast in Pisa, cloudy and thunderstorms! I was not looking forward to the flight! But to our surprise we arrived in Pisa to sun! I’m always excited when I travel to Italy! I love coming here, the country, food and the best part of all, the Italian coffee...mmmm. I headed straight to the closest espresso bar to order "un cappuccino!" It didn’t disappoint.

So we have arrived at the hotel and it is very nice. I was surprised and happy to see we had air-conditioning! After a quick lunch I’m now relaxing before we leave in 30min for the 2.5km prologue!

After the prologue we arrived late back at the hotel, I think 11pm. So I was looking forward to a good night sleep after a long day and a hard short prologue in the heat! So I’m not sure where I finished think around mid field (ed. note: 70th). But with the days ahead this is not so important for me.

Stage 1, Day 2:

Today was a hard day! The heat was nearly unbearable and I’m from Australia!! Today’s stage was 99kms with two main climbs with the finish on top of the last climb! I got over the first climb with the front bunch. My legs feeling good considering I haven’t done much climbing lately. But the heat today really hit me. I heard from my team mate that the average temperature today was 38 degrees (C)! On the last climb I was trying to keep good position as it was going fast with Cervelo driving it on the front. In the last 2ks I was thinking great I could try for a good finish and tried to move up on the outside with 1k to go just as they kicked on the front! I'd moved to early and could feel the lactic rise from my legs to my throat and had to ease up as I'd lost too much. Now I just wanted to cross the line! But as soon as I did I was grabbed by the doping control, just my luck! So it’s been a lot of rehydration this afternoon. I had the best massage from Steffano our Italian masseuse. We have just finished dinner and I’m now ready for bed and looking towards the 13km time trial tomorrow in the heat! So for now it’s goodnight.

Ciao

Emma

Previous related stories from Emma:
Part I: http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/2009/06/emma-mackie-races-in-womens-giro.html
Part II: http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/2009/06/emma-mackie-races-in-womens-giro_29.html

Stories, including cycling trip stories, for the Italian Cycling Journal welcome; contact veronaman@gmail.com

Preparations Complete for Women's Giro D'Italia

The preparations are complete for the start of the GiroDonne tomorrow. The nine stage race will get underway with an evening 2.5 Km prologue in the "borgo storico" of Scarperia in the province of Firenze (Florence). Scarperia traces its history to 1306.

The prologue, an individual time trial, which will begin at 7:00 p.m. from Piazzetta dei Vicari will be contested on a completely illuminated course. The early portion of the course is cobbled, and the finish is on a slight incline. The prologue should finish by 10:00 p.m.

Emma Mackie is flying into Pisa tomorrow with her Lotto-Belisol team and transferring to Scarperia. A busy day for sure.

Photos: 2.5 Km Scarperia prolgue course, Scarperia, the race will begin in front of the Palazzo dei Vicari

Previous related stories regarding Emma:

Part I: http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/2009/06/emma-mackie-races-in-womens-giro.html

Part II: http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/2009/06/emma-mackie-races-in-womens-giro_29.html

Stories, including cycling trip stories, for the Italian Cycling Journal welcome; contact veronaman@gmail.com

Emma Mackie Races in the Women's Giro d'Italia, Part II

Emma Mackie's, of team Lotto-Belisol, first report in her own words:

Hi,

Not long ago I was asked if I would like to write about my experiences in this year’s GiroDonne. One of the biggest women’s races not only in Italy but the world. This is a first for me! I’m a little nervous about writing something where thousands of people can read it but I am very happy to be asked. This is also very exciting for me because the GiroDonne was the first International race I did with the Australian National team 3years ago. This year I will be returning with my Belgium pro team, Lotto-Belisol. So to kick things off I thought you should know a little bit about me.

I’m an Australian Female cyclist. I’m 24 years old and I come from a little town called Albury. During the European cycling season I live in Belgium, Viane. I have been racing now for 5 years. I started cycling through my local club in Australia and after a year of racing at home I wanted more. Things progressed quickly and before I knew it I was racing the GiroDonne with the Australian National team in 2006.

In 2007 I signed my first professional contract with the Dutch team Vrienden Van Het Platteland. It was quite an experience coming from Australia and living in Europe for 6-8 months! A lot of people say that the first experience either makes or breaks you. Well it hasn’t broken me yet.

In 2008 I signed for the team Lotto-Belisol which is now my current team in 2009. Last year was a great year for me with 7 top 10 results, 2 podium finishes, and 4500Kms raced in Europe with 43 completed races. This year the team is bigger and stronger. We have had some great results and I can feel each year an improvement from the last.

I have just recently returned from Canada. We had some great results with several podiums, top ten finishes, the sprinters jersey and me 2nd on the mountains jersey. I have now turned my attention to the 10 day tour of the GiroDonne. The weeks leading up to this tour I have been focused on full recovery and maintaining the race fitness I should benefit from Canada. Drinking plenty of water to keep myself hydrated as I hear it is going to be very hot. And eating the right foods to fuel myself for this year’s challenging course. The race this year looks to be very tough with 10 stages from the 3rd-12th July. We fly into Pisa on Friday morning, July 3rd, to begin the race later that night at 7pm with a 2.5km prologue.

The sun is shining here today and Belgium! And it is time for me to go out training...

So until then, I will keep you posted with anything leading up to the tour and the latest news /reactions and gossip on tour.

Ciao,

Emma Mackie

Photos: Emma sprinting to her first victory of 2009, in May; with teammates in Canada, Emma 2nd left; the entire team, Emma 2nd right

ed. note: Emma outlined her European goals for this year as World cup races- top 10, UCI Tours- stage wins/podium, UCI Classic Races- podium, National Races- wins/podium and to
represent Australia in the World Championships in Menderiso, Switzerland. Her long term goals include Australian Champion, World Championships, Commonwealth Games 2010, London Olympics 2012.

Part I of Emma Mackie Races in the Women's Giro d'Italia:

http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/2009/06/emma-mackie-races-in-womens-giro.html

Stories, including cycling trip stories, for the Italian Cycling Journal welcome; contact veronaman@gmail.com

Emma Mackie Races in the Women's Giro d'Italia, Part I

Big news! Australian professional cyclist Emma Mackie of team LOTTO-BELISOL LADIES TEAM has been very gracious in accepting an invitation to write here about her experiences during the women's Giro d'Italia (also known as the GiroDonne). The prologue + nine 9 stage race will begin on July 3rd.

Emma will be writing about her daily experiences in the most important women's stage race in Italy which is being contested by 17 other international squads. Her series will begin with an introduction prior to the race.

This is going to be incredibly interesting! Stay tuned.

The prologue and stages details:
3 July, Scarperia (evening Individual time trial) 2.5 Km

4 July, Stage 1, San Piero a Sieve - Pratolini di Vaglia (FI) 99.9 Km

5 July, Stage 2, Pontedera - S.Maria a Monte (PI) (Individual time trial) 13.5 Km

6 July, Stage 3, Calcinaia (Pi) - Prato A Calci/Monte Serra (Pi) 106.4 Km

7 July, Stage 4, Porto S. Elpidio (AP) - Porto S. Elpidio (AP) 109.2 Km

8 July, Stage 5, Fossacesia (CH) - Cerro al Volturno (IS) 109.2 Km

9 July, Stage 6, Cerro al Volturno (IS) - S. Elena Sannita (IS) 119.3 Km

10 July, Stage 7, Andria - Castel del Monte (BA) 131.2 Km

11 July, Stage 8, S.Marco dei Cavoti (BN) - Pesco Sannita (BN) 115.6 Km

12 July, Stage 9, Grumo Nevano - Grumo Nevano 113.2 Km

Previous story:

http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/2009/06/girodonne-2009.html

Photos: GiroDonne event logo, Emma training in Livigno, Italy

Stories, including cycling trip stories, for the Italian Cycling Journal welcome; contact veronaman@gmail.com