London 2012 Olympic Games - Race Report

On July 15, my teammates and I packed up our training base in LA and made the long trip across the pond to Apeldoorn, Netherlands, for our pre-Olympic camp.

Last training day in Los Angeles. 

Jenn Turner doing some pre-flight kinesiotaping in the United Lounge.

We tested out new Olympic equipment in Apeldoorn.

We trained for 10 days at the Omnisport Velodrome with the Dutch National team, and when the time finally came to travel into London, every one of us was the fittest and fastest we'd ever been. August 3 couldn't come quickly enough.

2 laps to go, and in a world of hurt.

In our qualifying ride, we posted a 3:19 - not a bad time, but not a time illustrative of what we were capable of as a team. We were understandably disappointed, but the frustration we felt at not riding to our potential served only to motivate us further for the two rides the next day. 

Qualifying in 4th meant we were slated to ride off against Great Britain (the fastest team) in the first round the next day. Rather than get overwhelmed by the wall of noise that greeted us as we stepped onto the track to face the home team, we used the energy in the building to propel us to a new Canadian record, and a time good enough for a spot in the bronze medal ride - 3:17.4.

Less than 60 minutes later, we were on the track again, for one last ride against Australia. A bronze medal was up on the line, and neither us nor the Australian were willing to give it up without a fight. In the end, after riding one of the closest races in Team Pursuit history, we emerged victorious, winners by just a tenth of a second.

Jasmin celebrates, as I try to reign in the lactic acid enough not to fall off the track behind her.

First ever Women's Team Pursuit Olympic podium!

The team.

Three happy girls and their medals.

Although I've said this on a daily basis since our race, I can't stress enough how much of a team effort was involved in winning this medal. There have been so many amazing people and organizations supporting us and supporting the National Track Cycling Team, and this medal is as much theirs as it is mine, or Jasmin's, or Tara's.

Own the Podium, Cycling Canada (the organization itself and all its phenomenal support staff), Cycling BC, CAN Fund, Broad Street Cycles, Focus Bikes, 7SYSTEMS, Chrome Bags, Dr. Vie Superfoods+, ISM Saddles, and Stuckylife - whether supporting our program or supporting me personally, you have all been such a crucial part of our success. THANK YOU! It's been an amazing journey.

And as always, a huge thanks to Rob Jones and Steve Sleep for taking such great photos and documenting our Olympic adventure from the very beginning.