Jodie Batchelor
Jodie is the current Victorian Vets Criterium and Road champion in her age group. She has been racing for several years now and likes any event that involves sprinting and not too many hills. She initially used cycling as an important part of her rehabilitation from a mountaineering accident in New Zealand. She then got into racing as a replacement for martial arts in which she represented Australia and won Gold, Silver & Bronze medals in the Martial Arts World Games in 2000.
Jodie's race report from UCI Vic State Team TT Championships
- By Jodie Batchelor
- Published 21-Jul-08
(from left to right - Jodie, Melissa Nicholls, Amber Saunders - absent Melissa Kah)
After the Southern Vets Tour last weekend we got a call on the Monday morning from the Caulfield Carnegie Vice President, asking if I would be interested in being in a women's team for the Vic State Team TT Championships.
I went into a spin! There were logistics - like I did not have a UCI licence. There was the practical - I did not know the team, we had not practiced together. Then there was the personal - I was going to change my training after the tour and start focusing on the coming crit season. I went through a roller coaster of emotions - mainly fear and excitement. Anyway luckily I only had about 10hrs to think about. In the end I decided I would do it, however I don't think my acceptance probably conveyed the amount I really now wanted to be on the team, I think my words were something like 'if you need me I will do it'.
This was going to be an opportunity for me, I thought if I say no then I may not be asked again. But I was still worried that I would be the weak link in the team. On Thursday night we got a call and David and I were both in teams. The level of fear took the next step.
The race was in Ballarat, we headed off in the pouring rain but the closer we got the better the weather, up until we started. The wind picked up and it was raining, the forecast was showers, possible hail and a minimum of 4 degrees and a max of 8. It may have even been snowing when we were packing up.
Anyway I find my team, warm up and we get to the start line. We are off, we had decided to roll short turns as there was a strong head wind and 32km to race. Our time was to be based on the 3rd rider crossing the line. I pulled the first turn, I was feeling good and I had so much adrenaline - also if I got dropped then I had helped! The teams started with 3 minute time gaps, as we were going out, there were are few climbs, I could see a team ahead. We caught that team at about 12km and they had started 6 minutes in front. We were going well, the team had good form on the road, a nice line using each others wheels.
There was a bit of a strength difference in the team, we kept the talk up, encouraged each other along and stayed together. A few times we had to ease up and wait, but then we were a team and we had to get 3 of us over the line to stop the clock. I really surprised myself and ended up being one of the stronger riders. We ended up 2nd and were beaten by about 45 seconds, perhaps next year!
I had a fantastic time and learnt a lot. I have to stop underestimating myself. My commitment to my training and the training I have been going is really paying off. I feel like I have stepped up to the next level. There were 9 women's teams on the day, which is fantastic as previously some of the women's events have had really low numbers.
Congratulations to everyone - I hope to do it again.
