To come back to Pais Vasco will always be special for me, there is where my career started more than 10 years ago…
After a unsuccessful attempt racing as a guest rider for the Basque team Bizkaia in Drenthe 2005 I thought my chances to turn professional where gone – after ending up in hospital with a broken finger. So, of course I got excited when they a few months later invited me to come and race Castilla y Leon and later on – also Emakumeen Bira with them!
Even though I spent almost every stage of my very first Emakumeen Bira 2005 in ”groupetto” I must have done something right, and it was a very proud moment when I signed my very first professional contract in July 2005. A dream came true and I was official racing for Bizkaia Pand Software Durango.
My two seasons with my Basque family was a perfect way to start my road towards the top. To race without pressure and to have so much fun when out on the road was essential for me, and I’m very grateful for the chance they gave me.
For this years edition of Emakumeen Bira, 11 years later(!), I wanted to create good memories and I sure did.
To travel back home with two stage victories and the yellow jersey in my luggage makes me very emotional. My Basque family was there to support me as always, being in groupetto or the front-group doesn’t matter and that’s why I love them so much!
That is why Pais Vasco will always have a special place in my heart!
Thank You – Gracias – Eskerrik akso!
Emma
