Finishing It Off For The Team: Jenna Merrick On Womens Sun Tour - bmwcycling
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06 Feb Finishing It Off For The Team: Jenna Merrick On Womens Sun Tour

Posted at 04:58h in Featured, Race Reports by

I rode past the media bike with a grin on my face and couldn’t help but have a chuckle to myself. I knew my parents and friends would be watching the livestream back at home and would probably get a huge shock to see me in the frame. This was the moment I rejoined the leaders of the road race stage of the Suntour, after Mitchelson-Scott’s big move in the crosswinds tore the peleton to pieces.

The previous few kilometres had been an absolute battle, I attempted to tuck myself behind road captain and team-mate Amanda’s wheel, but there was little shelter from the intense crosswinds. Riders were dropping like flies and it was a huge effort trying to move around them to stay in touch with the front of the race. Eventually the pressure became too much, gaps were substantial and many little bunches formed on the road. Amanda, Trek-Segafredo rider Tayler Wiles, and I were the final three riders to be distanced from the front of the race only a few kilometres from the base of the main climb. I knew the race was to be won on that climb and from that front selection of riders, I had to be up there. Thanks to some extra big effort by Amanda until she reached her limit, there was a close enough gap to get across to the front. From this point I was able to get a bit of recovery in, turn myself inside out on the climb to be the 4th rider over the top, and then time trial to the finish in 5th place and win the young riders jersey!

Young Rider Jersey

A standout part of the tour in my eyes, was the team I had out there on the road with me. It made a huge difference to moral and confidence in the middle of the hectic peloton, when I was close to one of the other Mike Greer Homes riders. The overwhelm of the size and pace of the bunch, and tasks which lay ahead suddenly became manageable when I had a trustworthy wheel to follow such as that of Amanda and Niamh. It was easier to find a way to the front when I had a target such as Libby to ride towards, she did an incredible job of staying at the front, particularly in the crit and always pushing me to do the same. Stella and Hannah looked out for us in the way of feeding and hydration which is a key element in racing a tour, something you always have to be on top of, especially in the Aussie heat. I loved the fact that amongst the 70 other riders on the road, there were 5 who had your best interest at heart, and you could count on them to fulfil the common team goal. I had this in my mind as I rode across the finish line of the road race.

Positive Team Vibes

I was proud of the team, and incredibly happy I could translate our effort into a result! To come away with 5th place in teams overall speaks volumes about the culture of the team and our outstanding setup behind the scenes. A huge thanks to Patrick and Tammy Harvey, as always, for their ongoing support and management of the team. It is an incredible group to be a part of.

Signing On For My First Overseas UCI Race!