This post was written by Rebecca Much on April 6, 2009
This weekend I did a race down in southern Illinois called the Hillsoboro-Roubaix. You have Paris-Roubaix in France every srping, and I wonder if there are race throughout europe that emulate that famous race because here in the states it seems like there are Roubaix like races throughout the country. Hillsboro-Roubaix is the midwestern version anyhow, and its one of the best races in this part of the country in terms of course and local turn out. I love racing at home because you can drive to the races with friends and see everyone you grew up racing with…no better way to feel loved than to race at home in my opinion! The course was a 22mile lap that we did twice that went through country roads with rollers and flat windy sections. The last 2-3k of each lap was the best part however as you went up 2 short but steep little hills before bombing down a hill onto cobbles that went to about 300meters to go before the finish line.
You never know how races are going to play out in a local feild, but this race was probably one of the most fun and aggressive races I’ve ever witnessed which was delighting! We started the race and after only 4miles in the attacks started flying by Team Kenda. Myself and 2 other riders, Sydney Brown (Mercy Cycling) and Catherine Walberg (Kenda) got off and started hauling through the head, cross, and tailwinds riding across open feilds and up and down small rollers. Sydney in particular was riding strong and I was so amped on the hard racing we had in store…the race had just begun! About 1/2 way through the first lap 4 other riders bridged up to us–2 more from Kenda: Christy Keely and Kristin Wentworth–along with Bri Kovak (Team Revolution), and Jessica Prinner (ABD Cycling). Everyone was super motivated to keep the break rolling and have a hard race which made the race incredibly enjoyable. I was particularly impressed with Jessica Prinner who is still a junior! Christy Keely worked hard for her team and got dropped off at the end of the first lap and Sydney Brown had an untimely flat so unfortunatly she was missing as we neared the finish, however, she got an automatic spot on the Nature Valley Pro Ride team so her hard work did not go unrewarded. That made 5 of use approching the finish and everyone turned themselves inside out all the way to the end where we met the 2 hills and cobbles for the final time. I attacked hard at the bottom of the second hill and gave it my all. I was alone at the top and knew all I had to do was keep it rolling to the finish over the cobbels and it would be a successful day. The cobbels and I befriended eachother and I made it to the finish with aabout a 30second gap for the W. I must say it felt really good to win, most of all because everyone in the break worked so hard and it was in front of my home crowd. I like to make the Chicagoland people proud!
The top 5 rounded out in this order with Catherine Walberg in 2nd, Bri Kovac 3rd, Kristin Wentworth 4th, and Jessica Prinner 5th. I got the coolest trophy as well…a ridiculously heavy cobble brick mounted on a pedastal…it is awesome. Great organization for the race and a great time all around!
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) 
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Posted under ROAD BIKE
Click my name Rebecca Much to read more of my posts!
Congrats! A W is always fantastic.
Rebecca,
Nice Brick, hope you win one at the Womens Paris Roubaix someday.
Keep having fun out there.