Christine
Majerus

There is a lot of positif things to say about how my "comeback after 45 days without racing" went. Like I was wearing the Skoda Mountain Jersey for one day ( that was obviously only a goal because I wanted to be sponsorcorrect), I rode to stagepodium on stage 2, I felt better day by day and the climbs went smoother as the stages passed by, I finished 4th in the GC which after 2nd last year and 3rd in 2015 shows that it's a good race for me. Teamwise Amalie rode to stage victory on stage 4 which obviously was great for her and felt good for the whole team.

That's great. 

But it really didn't go as smooth as it looked like. I crashed pretty hard in this race 2 years ago. I heavily bruised my elbow and had to DNF the race that year. This year could have been the same. There are crashes that you see coming because you take too much risk and you know there is a chance it is not going to end well. They are not the worst crashes because you are kind of prepared to hit the ground. Then there are crashes you don't see coming. That's what happend on stage 4 straight at km0. The first attack went and I followed wheels. After a roundabout I went out of my saddle and before I noticed I got smashed on the ground. Looking back at it I think a rider rode into my handlebar from behind. I hit my head which I was worried about the most. I experienced concussion this winter and it really wasn't fun. No headache, first relief. I could stand up, second relief. Unfortunately some riders weren't as lucky, especially my teamie Jip hurt herself pretty bad with a broken pelvis. I did feel bad for her and the others but I was also reliefed that I was pretty ok considering the speed we were riding at. The race got neutralized because no ambulance was available anymore. I could make it back to the bunch and finish the stage and the race. I am sad because it was an unnecassary crash for me and for everyone else, sad also because I was pretty stiff for the rest of the race and even if I did my best trying to move up to GC podium it wasn't enough and maybe with a healthy body things would have been different. Call me maybe...

Anyway.

One week later I still can't sleep on my left side but riding my bike is not a problem. 

One week later I look back at 4th being a great result in a WorldTour Race. 

One week later pretty sure Jip is smiling again and making comeback plans already! Heal up quick!

Picture: Velofocus