It has recently been brought to my attention that the 2011 Amgen Tour of California might stage a professional women’s individual time trial, where the prize money will be paid based on how many men the top women beat.

When asked what I think of this idea, it got me thinking….

My initial reaction was one of excitement! How cool would it be to see the top women time trial specialists taking on some of the world’s best men? Let’s show them what we made of!

However, when thinking a bit longer on the matter my opinion changed somewhat…..

I feel that women’s cycling is not the same as men’s cycling, not because of superiority/inferiority, but by tribute to the fact that it is a different discipline.

Would a competition of this nature really do anything positive for the sport of women’s cycling?

Would it not just sexualise the sport, where I feel men and women should be treated equally, not based on which sex is the strongest or the fastest, but on merit that each discipline is unique?

In my opinion, whether some of the top women beat the men or not, is not important! Women’s cycling should be supported because it is exciting and entertaining in its own right!

The Ronde van Vlaanderen has been described by Belgium’s as more than a race; it is a sociological phenomenon, a cultural and national event!

On the day of De Ronde, everything comes to a stand still in the Vlaanderen, as millions of Belgians gather on the streetside along route to watch their cycling hero’s pass by up the challenging cobble climbs!

For most professional cyclists, but especially the Belgium’s, this is THE RACE to win! It is one of the biggest classics on the calendar and gets plenty of media coverage and support!

Yesterday, Dutch women and Nederland Bloeit cyclist, Annemiek van Vleuten finished on tops!Here are some post Ronde van Vlaanderen tweets from the women’s peloton:

@sarahduester: 2 km to long…Tour of Flanders but I am happy Annemiek won and Marianne gets 3.

by Sarah Duester, Nederland Bloeit cyclist, she was away in a solo break for much of the race and was caught 2km from the finish!  

@mariannevos: Back home from Flanders; great day for #NederlandBloeit! Tough racing by @sarahduester & strong win of @AvVleuten- also leader in World Cup!

by Marianne Vos, Nederland Bloeit cyclist and former world champion. She finished 3rd on the day!

@martinebras: I proved it again! Cobbles can be done without gloves! Now the day after back to reality! It feels weird that RVV is behind. Up to the next!

by Martine Bras, Dolmans Ladies team.

@Bridie_OD: I know impatience is a character flaw, but I can’t wait to be skilled, strong, experienced and racing Flanders on the same day! Please?

by Bridie O’Donnell, Australian cycling for Fasso Bortolo team.

@RochelleGilmore: Lotto Honda’s Ludivine Henrion came close, 50km in a 2 person break to be caught in final 10k. 2min gap with 20km + 2 hills to go!

by Rochelle Gilmore, Lotto Honda Ladies team, describing her team mate Ludivine Henrion’s heroic effort on the day!

@emmaprocyclist: 4th – Shit! Now I have to wait another year

by Emma Johansson, Team Hitec Products.

And last but not least……

@AvVleuten: Nagenieten van een super mooie dag! #rvv #waaaahhhh!!

by Annemiek van Vleuten, Nederland Bloeit cyclist and Ronde van Vlaanderen champion for 2011!

Congrats to all who took part and finished this very tough and beautiful race!

Today was a beautiful spring day in Varese province, Italy!

It was a perfect day for some hill repeats up the Sacre Monte climb, just outside Varese city centre.

I am currently doing some specific training for the Fleche Wallone World Cup in Wallone region Belgium on 20 April. This World Cup race is awesome, because it finishes on the top of the Muur de Huy, a 1.3km climb with an average gradient of 13%, but it kicks up to 26% at times.

Today I did 10 minute hill repeats up the Sacre Monte climb. This climb is steep and about 4km long. It is a perfect climb to simulate the Muur de Huy in the Fleche Wallone race!

Apparently many professional males use this climb for training. I read a blog that said Nicolas Roche used this climb in his preparation for the 2010 Fleche Wallone.

I started off my session with a good warm up of 2 hours before hitting the Sacre Monte climb.

This session is particularly valuable to build strength endurance. It is important to try to push above your threshold power zone (L4) and into your VO2 max power zone (L5). Pushing into your VO2 max zone is what makes this session particularly hard, but doing this is valuable as it works to increase your threshold power, VO2 max and strength endurance!

The intervals were hard, but I was lucky to be treated to a beautiful view at the top every time