While the SBW women were kicking butt at Cascades in Oregon, the National Team sent me to Italy to participate in the 3 Days of Rose. I went there with the assumption that the women were going to have Madison races, but when we arrived the race organization did not include it on our schedule. The women's omnium consisted of 2 missing outs, 2 scratch races and 2 points races with two races each day. The track was a 400m outdoor concrete track which as you know is far different from our home track. 
It was enough difference to throw off my timing for the sprints. The racing was tough and the field was filled with World Cup medalists, World Cup white jersey wearers and Olympians preparing for the big show next month. We raced hard and held our own. My best finish was a 4th place finish in one of the Points races. The Ukranian pursuit team double teamed me twice in the break away. Unfortunately, being out smarted is part of the learning process. I also found that you really have to be on your toes because you can't understand the announcer yet lap cards change in the middle of the race, the total number of laps change, the rules of the missing out change as you're racing and probably don't count it being in your favor. I'm sure this is all part of the leaning curve and I look forward to many more races like it in the future. The riding in Italy is amazing. It's filled with beatiful views and cute villas everywhere you ride.
It was enough difference to throw off my timing for the sprints. The racing was tough and the field was filled with World Cup medalists, World Cup white jersey wearers and Olympians preparing for the big show next month. We raced hard and held our own. My best finish was a 4th place finish in one of the Points races. The Ukranian pursuit team double teamed me twice in the break away. Unfortunately, being out smarted is part of the learning process. I also found that you really have to be on your toes because you can't understand the announcer yet lap cards change in the middle of the race, the total number of laps change, the rules of the missing out change as you're racing and probably don't count it being in your favor. I'm sure this is all part of the leaning curve and I look forward to many more races like it in the future. The riding in Italy is amazing. It's filled with beatiful views and cute villas everywhere you ride.
