Race Report: Early Birds (Women’s 4/5)
Race: Early Birds (Women’s 4/5)
Date: January 11, 2026
AVRT racers: Emily Selman; AV Club Milinda Lakkam and Kira Harman; Robin Betz (mentor)
Top Result: There are no winners/losers in EBs
Course: 1 km square loop (right turns), closed to traffic
Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/17018625683
Nutrition: An orange before the clinic; 1 bottle of water in between races.
Race Summary:
(By Emily) The Jan 4 EB was canceled due to rain, so we focused on anticipation, formation, and sprinting to make up for last week. We discussed covering your front wheel and for drills, we practiced a pace line rotation. The 15 riders were divided into 2 groups, one “going for it” (Group A) and one working more on their technical skills (Group B) Pro gravel racer Jayce Cooper (Monarch) and several Sprinkles (Sherry Bai) and Monarch riders (Zoe Khuu) were in Group A.
On a personal note, this is my first race after a back surgery (and not racing last year), and I was apprehensive about how well my body would hold up and honestly wondering if I should be racing at all, since my back has been temperamental since the surgery.
We did a few warm-up laps, then lined up to do 3 x 6 lap practice races, working on technical skills and practicing different tactical scenarios. Mentor (ex pro) Ivy Audrain worked with Group A and Robin worked with the Group B.
For Group A’s first race, Jayce went to the front immediately and most of the group let her pull. Sprinkles attacked on the 5th lap but were caught going into the final lap. I noticed that none of the front riders were cornering very well, so on the last turn, I dove into the gutter and was able to hold on for the win.
In Group A’s second race, the riders stayed in a bunch, as Jayce realized she’d worked too much in race 1. Sprinkles rider Katia attacked on lap 3 but was caught on lap 4. The race came down to a bunch sprint and Jayce took the win, I was 3rd.
I wasn’t able to get the names of the winners in Group B, but Milinda and Kira took turns pulling at the front and were competitive in the bunch sprint.
For the third race, Group A and B all raced together. The mentors suggested moving around in the peloton, trying different positioning and practicing technical aspects like passing, cornering and attacking. This race was more animated, and there were about 6 riders in a breakaway after 4 laps. Ivy was next to me, asking me when I would make my move. I was going to attack on the 3rd turn, but felt the group lull on the straightaway between the 2nd and 3rd turn. I took that opportunity to attack and was able to create a gap that gave me the win.
Even though the EBs “don’t count,” I was honestly thrilled that I could race and be competitive. I had a blast racing, connecting with other riders, gaining insight from pros, and getting to be competitive, in spite of my back injury. I hope others who have experienced injuries can take heart in knowing that, even when the recovery process is long, our bodies remain capable of strength and speed if we choose to keep racing.