By Jo Hogan?(Twitter @jojohoganTR) This past month has definitely been the highlight of my trip so far! Having my brother and girlfriend Cherry come to Spain to visit and support me in the Emakumeen Bira 2012 (Bira), was an amazing experience and one that made me again realise how fortunate and lucky I am. During this week a close family friend, Mark Newton & his daughter Eliza caught up with me and then a SURPRISE visit from my good friend Claire Homsey to the Bira. She walked into the race hotel before the start of the second stage and left myself in shock and my teammates in tears, as they saw how happy I was. All very emotional and exciting! The weeks leading up to the Bira were spent in Girona, getting in some training, under the guidance of my coach Stuart Mc Kenize. Sarah Kent, a member of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Cycling Track Team, who has recently come over to Europe and is living in Girona, accompanied me on some great training rides. I also like to acknowledge Les Clarke for helping me with my training during leading this time. The week before Bira, I joined my team in Durango for a round of in the 2012 Spanish Cup. During this race, I was lucky enough to get away solo with 20 kms to go and hold off the chasing peloton. I was happy with my preparation leading into Bira and took my 2nd win for the season, since arriving in Spain. The week of the tour started with a one day race, Durango-Durango Emakumen Sarria. The race was 110km and finished with two challenging climbs. I didn?t manage to stay with the front of the race on the first of the two climb, but my team mate Anna Sanchis made the spilt, being one of a select group. Following this critical point in the race, Emma Pooley attacked the break away that had formed and took the victory solo. This was a great solid race leading into a big week of racing. The following account, are highlights that stand out for me over the week of the tour. As I mentioned earlier, I had the BEST support crew ever! Stage 2 was definitely a stand out, being in two of the main breaks of the stage and having my awesome support crew running alongside the peloton, screaming and holding signs, is something I will never forget. One of my fellow Australian riders Amanda Spratt said to me, ?Are you feeling the love Jo?? I replied ?Yes, definitely,? with a huge smile on my face. During the tour I felt I pushed myself to a place I hadn?t been to before. I knew I had been training well leading into the week, but having the support of my family and friends behind me definitely gave me a lift. Anna Sanchis, my team mate, finished the tour with an impressive 9th on GC and myself in 12th. The team rode really well and all contributed to a great overall result finishing 4th in the team?s classification against some quality competition and very established teams. I would like to thank the whole team and support staff for a fantastic week of racing and for the great encouragement from my overseas visitors. On Wednesday I left Spain, to race in Belgium over the weekend, followed by the Tour de Feminine, Czech starting on the 5th to 8th of July. For this tour I am a guest rider for a Norwegian Team, CK Vittoria. I will be joined by my fellow Australian Amy Bradley. Amy is making her way over to Europe this week and it will be great to see another familiar face from Melbourne racing in Europe. Take care and look forward to hearing all the news from abroad! Jo 
