Teamwork personified

A day in the life of UCI women's team Liv-Plantur

It's almost unbelievable that the Women's Tour has come and gone again, a whole year has passed in the blink of an eye. Having been busy with my own training and racing, not to mention the full time job that funds the pedalling addiction, I was only able to dip in to two stages this year. However that was plenty to get a sense of the carnival atmosphere that once again accompanied the rolling roadshow that is Sweetspot's showcase of the world's best female cyclists.

Right up at the head of race convoy

I was lucky enough to spend the day right amongst the action on Stage 3 from Nottingham to Stoke, alongside Hans Timmerman DS of Liv-Plantur. Having the smallest, most eye catching race car in the convoy wasn't the only accolade that the team took away with them but it certainly attracted some attention out on the roads. 

The smallest, cutest race car?!

With Floortje Mackaij in the young riders jersey the team were also riding for the stage win with the Canadian Leah Kirchmann being the protected rider and Molly Weaver domestique extraordinaire. The stage ahead of them had a bit of everything;  picturesque country roads, open sprints and the rolling Staffordshire moorlands creating tough QoMs. Supporters had come out in their droves and the roads really were lined from Nottingham through to the finish in Stoke, with the sprints, QoMs and towns and villages being several deep. 

Many thousands had come out to watch

This was the first time I'd been in a race car where the riders were on radio, to state the obvious it was a much more interactive experience than perhaps I'd imagined. It's pretty exciting being in the race convoy, seeing the crowd support on the roadside, hearing the race unfold over race radio and being in the thick of the events as they unfolded. However it was a privilege to witness Hans at work as the stage got going.

On board 'HMS Liv-Plantur' with Hans

It was a masterclass in multi-tasking from start to finish. As if driving in the convoy wasn't enough, having an ear on race radio and the other on the radios on the team, an eye on the stage map annotated with every detail required was all brought together with team instructions. Hans was the perfect coach - providing clear and concise instructions alongside motivation and praise. No stone was left unturned and the commitment exhibited on the road was equally reflected inside the race car. To most of the supporters on the roadside I imagine the race cars are just a source of spare bikes and a vehicle to transport the team mechanic, however they are so much more than that; they really are the team control centres (more so for teams on radio). Plans have to be fluid as riders contest the sprints, QoMs, get brought down in crashes, form breaks or suffer a mechanical. There's certainly no time to be caught napping!

Stage Map

Three riders in the chasing break and a resultant second place for Leah in the sprint, just edged out by Marianne Vos as well as Floortje retaining the young rider jersey was undoubtedly a pretty good day in the office for Liv-Plantur. I was left with the overwhelming impression of a well oiled machine, where each part complemented the others to result in one solid unit. It was a privilege to observe and they're definitely a team to watch, particularly given the depth of talent.