Hanesova in National team in Russia
Between 20th and 25th May Livia Hanesova took part in international cycling competition which took place in Russian Federation under UCI.
Livia competed with women's representation team including Karine Baumlova and juniors Tereza Medvedova and Ivana Labajova.
For Livia, after two years of Gracie Orlova, this was only her third start in international professional peloton. The race took place in Krasnoyarsk region near Maykop, the capital of so called Adygea Republic. At the starting line also stood the current Russian champion Svetlana Stolbova (also the winner of Giro Italian 2002), Ukranian champion Ielizaveta Oshurkova (both part of Servetto Footon Women's Cycling Team). Apart from the Russian teams the Czech Republic, Latvia and Belorussia also took part.
The 'tour' kicked off by one-off race Grand Prix Maykop. The 100km route was cycled by the whole pack together so the last sprint was the big decider. Livia finished without loss of win.
After a day off followed a 4 stage Tour of Adygea. The first phase of the tour, timing to the top, would decide who the winner would be as last year's winner Natalia Boyarskaya (also competing for Italian Servetto Footon Women's Cycling Team) made a sufficient lead which she managed to keep until the finish line.
Second phase had the same principle as the first one, the same climb would be the decisive one. Within the framework of nearly 130km the peloton was divided and then connected after two mountain and one speedy premiums. By the time the peloton reached the bottom of the hill they were met by strong headwinds, however Livia managed to keep up with the main group. The final 15km climb saw the pack split up. The winner of the first phase proved her mountain climb qualities and won yet again.
Third phase was more or less flat race and the pack crossed the finish line together.
The biggest threat was the last phase which was the shortest in distance (84,7km) but after rapid premium 15th kilometre followed only a climb, first a moderate one, then towards the finish a steep one at Plateau Lago Naki in Partizanskaya Polyana. The Slovak team despite several unlucky moments (Karin's fall, Livia's puncture) have managed to finish the phase and the race itself. Livia caught up with the pack in the last 10km climb however at 1500 m above sea level she was 14 minutes behind the winner. The winner of the complete race was already mentioned Natalia Boyarskaya in 9h21mins56s. Livia finished in 45th place.
''The race in Russia was a very good experience for me. Although it wasn't a full of cycling 'stars' who normally race at Gracie Orlova it helped the fact that I was part of the main pack in each phase up until the final climb. The race was organised very well, the locals, whether it was the organisers or not were very friendly and helpful. The organisers prepared a guided program before each phase so that way we got a taste of local culture. The weather was also in our favour, it was sunny during every race, it always rained after the finish. We appreciated it in the last tough climb where there was still snow. The heavy rain and cold weather however followed after the last cyclist crossed the finish line. The atmosphere within the team and among the the Czech, Latvian and Belorussian girls was easygoing. If I'll have the opportunity to take part in another race with the Slovak team I'll definitely take it.''
