FLASHBACK FRIDAY: ALISON DUNLAP WINNING FIVE DAYS AFTER 9/11
An emotional win
WINNING THE UCI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIVE DAYS AFTER 9/11
“I have never cried so much or been as stressed as I was that week. The night before the race, I slept with my best friend Mari Holden’s World Championship jersey and medal under my pillow. She had won them just a few months earlier in the time trial. That morning, I stood in front of the mirror wearing her jersey and medal, and just cried and cried, realizing how enormous and powerful the day at hand was going to be.
“I didn’t have magic legs that day. I didn’t have a good start. And, I suffered more than I ever have in a race. And, I won. Everyone at the race that day got to share in what is good about us, and got to smile and cheer five days after the tragedy. It was such a magical moment. Can’t believe it has been 20 years. The tears as I write this are as big as they were on race day. I, the cycling community, and the world will never forget that week.” —Alison Dunlap
