by Nadia Sinclair

The vibrant summer marked the inaugural season of a monumental event in women’s pro cycling. An eight-day long-distance multi-stage race that mirrored the celebrated men’s annual Tour de France, giving our pro women cyclers exclusive opportunity to claim their pedestal. A thrilling event that emanated waves of change in the field of women’s cycling, relished by pros and fans alike.

An exclusive opportunity presented itself to us at Wellspring24 as we ventured into the heart of this grand cycling tour in France, trailing the only British team in the competition, Team Velostorm. Sharing the limelight with us was the resilient 24-year-old star, Eileen Stronghold, as we watched closely an entire day from dawn to dusk in the realm of pro cycling.

Mornings in Motion

Starting the day at 8:10 AM, Eileen’s morning orchestration includes packing her gear and heading straight to breakfast at the hotel. An essential part of her day is trying to consume enough energy-packed food, with porridge and sweetened bread becoming a morning routine. With a firm belief in maximizing sleep, the morning breakfast also allows for last-minute packing before boarding the team bus.

They move hotels each day following the trajectory of the race across France, making every day a unique experience. With an hour-long drive to the day’s start point at Bar Le Duc in north-eastern France, Eileen cherishes this peaceful moment before the race, trying to catch some snooze and connecting with family.

Behind the Start Line

Following their arrival, Eileen and her six fellow cyclists transform into their professional gear ready for the team presentation at the main stage. Subsequently, they get together for a key pre-race meeting, discussing the challenges and the course for the day ahead.

The hustle doesn’t end there. With the race starting at 11:45 AM, final checks and preparations include sunscreen, snacks, last toilet breaks, and heading to the start line. The first few days of a stage race are most nerve-wracking, but as the days pass, Eileen finds herself more relaxed and looking forward to the race rather than getting anxious.

Finish Line Feels

Surrounded by cheering spectators, crossing the vibrant finish line is a surreal realization of the grandeur of the race. Immediately, their diligent masseuse, Caro awaits with recovery shakes and water. Following this, it’s a rush – from breathing exercises to cooling down on the turbo trainer, and then a quick change and shower before heading to their next hotel.

Reviving and Rejoicing in the Evening

Post-race, Eileen turns to food as a reviving source. On this particular day, she opted for a scrumptious pesto pasta with tomatoes. Balancing nourishment and rest, a soothing 30-minutes massage with the soigneur and quiet time caught up on her favorite TV shows helped her relax. The day ends with dinner and light-hearted conversations with fellow teammates, mindful of the exhilarating tour days still to come. Frequent video calls to her family and boyfriend bookmarked her unwinding phase.

A Day to Remember

As an observer, this rare insight into the day of a pro cyclist amidst a crucial racing event is fascinating. The elaborate routine from dawn to dusk stamps the immense dedication, perseverance, and skill required to compete confidently at such high-stake stages. Eileen rightfully justifies the joy and pride involved in this celebrated profession and the grand cycling tour.

It’s a race that goes well beyond the confinements of a cycling track; it’s a profound testament to the resilience, determination, and passion of women cyclists globally. For an everyday glimpse into the inspiring world of Eileen and her team Velostorm, be sure to catch up on their Instagram snapshots.

women’s pro cycling, grand cycling tour, Tour de France, team Velostorm, Eileen Stronghold, pro cyclist day routine, race preparation, stage race, post-race activities.