Nikolina joined HPRW last year at the Mt Mee Hill Climb and recently completed the NZCT Women's Tour of New Zealand, a tough 3 day stage race, as part of the composite team sponsored by BP, and also in the Mastertons International Cup.
Nikolina finished with the bunch on the first two stages. The final stage had some big climbs especially Admiralty Hill at the end.
Here's Nikolina's report from Stage 3
Stage Three -
Stage three was the most difficult stage of them all. I held out with the bunch until the last QOM just before Admiral Hill. The last 20km was the hardest 20km's I have ever ridden in my life. My legs were screaming and felt like they wanted to explode. 130km and 6 bottles of water later, I made it to the top of Adrimal Hill, 17 minutes behind the leader. I got off my bike and collapsed to the ground, I was shaking and felt like crying (well maybe I did just a little). Words can't express the pain my body went through on the last climb and by the time it was over I was filled with mixed emotions. I didn't know if I was happy for it to all be over or whether I even wanted to cycle or race again. But this was only because of the pain I went through having pushed my body to a another level of physical exhauston which I haVve never experienced before.
Stage 3
At one point I felt disappointed with my result but then had to be realistic. Two weeks of hill climbing is not enough for a Tour like this. Also this was a big jump for me going from the type of racing I had been doing back home and of course, this was the first Tour I have ever raced. As crazy as it sounds, but I'm already planning the next one.
Results -
Stage One = 41st + 0.04
Stage Two = 29th + 0.06
Stage Three = 49th + 17.04
Final Classification = 48th + 17.14 minutes