#IamtheStorm Excerpt from #Wheeler

21 June
Aviva Women’s Tour, Stage 5
Marlow to Hemel Hempstead, 102.6km

Loren settled into her time trial pace, her head down and hands in the drops. She extended her awareness, taking in the sounds around her: the whistle of air past her ears, the breathing of the other riders around her, the beating of her heart.

From her right, the hum of tires on blacktop became louder, accompanied by a faint clink every time the pedals rotated. That’s Cole with Heather behind her. If I go all out on the climb, neither can keep on me. But do I have enough? She clenched her jaw. I am the storm. I am enough.