The team leaves Varese tomorrow for France. For staff, we have Nico (mechanic), Beth (soigneur), Dave (asst director) and Marv (DS). There are 6 riders, 5 are blonde (we are in northern Italy, remember), and we are all in good shape. 

The plan is to be aggressive, be in breaks, aim for stage wins and get the word "AUSTRALIA!!" yelled on race radio at least once per day so Marv doesn't get bored. Everyone is using this tour as a build up for the final two world cup races of the season (Plouay in France, and Nurenberg in Germany) and then the worlds in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

Weather is beautiful here, but will most likely be more disappointing in central France. Possibly undermined only by the anecdotes of terrible accommodation, overcooked vegetables and suspicious meat product that is served en masse each night.

It will all serve as 6 solid days of racing and a reminder of the good life here in Northern Italy.

The Australian National team is:

Kirsty Broun (QLD) - sprinter
Ruth Corset (QLD) - climber, sprinter
Tiffany Cromwell (SA) - all rounder, breakaway specialist
Shara Gillow (QLD) - climber, young'un and fresh from finishing her first Giro Donne in July
Alexis Rhodes (SA) - time triallist, domestique extraordinaire
and me

Race updates to follow!

Bridie