Swisspower Party! I’m still excited about the fantastic support I had last Sunday at Hasliberg for the fifth Swisspower Cup. Saturday evening I switched teams and put on a black and lime green Tower Sports jersey (it matched well with my red and white X.O-Felt shorts) and helped the team race to fifth place. Just as the relay was about to start, rain poured down and soaked and chilled everyone. Once I was in the saddle and hammering through my first of two 2.5-kilometre laps, everything was okay. The rain didn’t bother me and I was focused on clocking a fast time. The four of us shared our fifth-place spoils, each cashing in on 30 CHF! Yay team!

On Sunday I was back in my true team colours, but warming up under the tent of the generous Swisspower guys – thanks! Erwin, the Swisspower mechanic, provided us with fabulous support, including bike washing/prepping and keeping me supplied with espressos! Keep ‘em coming!

Despite not having the X.O-Felt tent and banners to guide them, most of my fabulous fan club still found me. Unfortunately a few missed my start because of the 15-minute detour on the way to the race, much of which consisted of what seemed like goat trails. There was even snow up there!

Before the race, my fabulous parents (who are gallivanting around Europe for the next five weeks) had a chance to wish me luck. Also on the scene were Sepp, Sonya, Manuel, Roman (my young superfans from downstairs), Therese (Martina’s Mom) and Martina’s grandfather. Andri was on hand as well. I will be stripping him (hehehe) of his Boy of the Week status, however, because on one lap he fed me on the left side. I told you I can’t feed on the left!!! You’re fired! (Just kidding, I forgive you!) I appreciate all the help and support. HUG!

My fan club was later expanded by the arrival of Sile (my favourite aunt!), Wale and two cousins, Marcel and Julian. They even brought props! Sile rang the heck out of my late great-uncle’s giant cowbell and Julian spurred me on via his brand new megaphone, purchased specifically for the event! It was awesome!!! And after the race, I was pleasantly surprised to see my new mental trainer, Marcel, had come out to see what this sport is all about.

Okay, I suppose I should elaborate a little more about my race. It was hard. It hurt. I placed 12 th. The end.

Ha ha. You want more details? All right…. Despite not being in the first row, I had a super start because I lined up right behind Swisspower Cup leader Petra Henzi! Up the first climb, I was with the tête de la course and feeling fast. Henzi was there, fellow Canadian Kiara was there – good company! The pack stayed together on the descent. On the final major climb on the back side of the course, I could still see Kiara – a great sign! When I came through on the first lap, I was in ninth place – a solid spot, considering the world-class company. The wild cheering, cowbell ringing and megaphone yelling in the second corner of the second lap gave me such an energy boost, I stood up and hammered past a girl in front of me! I felt great through the first three laps. On the third lap, I was still within about 40 seconds of fourth spot, which I found fantastic. Then, in the second half of the race, it felt like my legs were running out of juice and they started showing telltale signs of cramping. But that was good! Not that I was fading and cramping up, but that I had been able to push myself to maintain a higher pace than the more “comfortable” (for lack of a better word) pace than I’m used to. That’s something Steve (my fantabulous coach) and I have been working on and it’s also something that will be important for the World Cups I’m doing these next two weekends. If I keep practicing this tactic, eventually I’ll be able to keep a higher pace for the entire race.

By the end of the race, I wasn’t riding the climbs as snappily as I had been at the beginning, but I was finally letting go more on the first fast descent. And finally I didn’t have anyone in my way down the infamous looking staircase section at the end. The 5.5-kilometre course was super fun, with long climbs, including technical switchbacks and challenging downhills. There was never a moment to relax or recover, but really, there’s never a moment to relax while racing!

I had a great time and I was excited about eating a Tazelwurm (yummy local pastry) at the end! I’m satisfied with 12 th spot, although I still know I belong in the top 10. I was fighting a little cold all week, so that might have something to do with the early fade. I’m still holding on to third spot in the overall standings though. Yeeha!