Dee Dee Winfield (C3-Athletes Serving Athletes) is one of the fast women on the national cyclocross scene. Looking at the results for 2009 she has been on the podium in her last eight races. She came into the 2009 Tacchino Ciclocross a clear favorite, and did not disappoint, taking the win seemingly with ease. In fact, Dee Dee had established such a large gap on the field that she had time for a couple packaged meat hand-ups from host team Squadra Coppi’s “Suitcase of Sausage.”
We caught up with Dee Dee to talk about her day.
How much time do you spend on the course before racing?
For a 2:30 race, I usually arrive between 11 and 11:30. It takes time to get numbers, trainers set up, chat with a few people, try to make sure I am not too rushed.
Do you walk the course?
If it is super muddy, I may just walk the course and not ride but usually I will ride around while others are racing, check out potentially difficult areas, see how others ride those sections. I will hop on the course in between races for a few laps.
Do any hot laps?
One or two before the 1:30 race.
What are you looking for during this time?
Areas where I can make up time or where time may be made up on me due to strengths or weaknesses in my abilities. Places that may be difficult to pass or challenging in general, what line to take.
What was your favorite part of the course?
I enjoyed some of the short punchy hills, the sections in the woods.
What would you change?
I would add more variety to the course. I would add more technical turns, more obstacles to try and break up the course, a run up if you could, a sand section, some places where you were either forced to get off of your bike or forced to ride it and one mistake could cost you.
The course featured a 180 degree turn into the barriers. Did this force you to change your approach or dismount technique?
Once, I came into the turn way too hot and almost lost it, sliding my rear wheel but I think for the most part a lot of barriers are around a turn or before an uphill so you have less speed coming into them. I got off of my bike once before the turn and ran to the barriers but that proved to not be the fastest option. The next time around I got off way too early and lap three, I finally figured out a few more accelerations to make it smoother and faster. I am still learning, too!
Walk us through the decisive moment in your race.
I don’t know the answer to this. I heard Arley crashed but I think we were separated before that happened but not sure.
Looking back on the race, is there anything you would have done differently?
I would have been smoother through sections beginning with the first lap, spending more time analyzing better lines, thinking about how to make the most out of what my legs were presenting that day.
What is the best piece of advice you can give a new cyclocross racer?
Technique, intervals, tire pressure, and love the culture.
What did you eat for breakfast?
I eat Gluten free Bob’s rolled oats for breakfast with a banana or two and some eggs.
Anything after that and before racing?
Sometimes another banana prior to the race a few Clif gels or shot bloks, water, Gatorade.
Give a shout out.
To C3, their support has been astounding this year and I have really enjoyed being part of such a great group of individuals and as always to my family for “taking one for the team.”
