Emma Johansson

Amazing victory in Thüringen Rundfahrt

2011.07.27 - Emma

We made it, first big stage race victory for Team Hitec Products!
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And it really was a team victory. I´m pretty sure that everyone that was there and saw the race can agree on that.
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This years Thüringen Rundfahrt was a real thriller and not until the last stage it was decided who was the winner.
I kept the yellow jersey til the 2nd last day that was a individual time trial.
To have former World Champion Amber Neben, HTC-Highroad as 2nd in the GC on only 11 seconds I knew was going to be hard. And I knew that I had to do a really good tt to not loose too much time against her if there would still be a chance for me to take the jersey back on the last stage. I lost 14 and was 2nd in the GC, 3 seconds down.

: Copyright/Photo: Martin Vestby

On the last stage there were three sprints with bonus seconds (3,2,1) along the way and that made our tactic clear and not really a secret for the HTC that had to defend their yellow.
Guess that is also why it felt so great when my team could control the race and set me off so well that I could win the seconds that I needed along the way:)

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So a big THANK YOU to my teammates, teamdirector, soigneur and mechanic for doing an awesome job! Without you all it would not have been possible!
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After two days of travelling, rest and easy rides we are now in Sweden getting ready for the World Cup in Vårgårda this weekend. Today we had a short look at the circuits and it looks just as good as it did last year:)
Teamtimetrail on Friday and then it’s the roadrace on Sunday!
I’ll keep you updated!