It was like a sidewalk that should have had stairs.
The atmosphere surrounding these races feels closer to USA style athletics with tailgates, super fans, and massive crowds. There’s an art to the violence required to position for the narrow cobbled climbs and crashes are inevitable.
If you are still smiling, you’re still in the game.
After a rejuvenating off-season, I was back in action with Team Dimension Data in Portugal.
Six weeks later, I’d been pushing some of my best power numbers in training and looked forward to racing after so much time on the sidelines.
Highs and lows create the drama in cycling.
Another day in the breakaway would put the sprint jersey out of reach for anyone else.
Five days after I returned to Europe I was back on an airplane heading to the Basque Country for one of the hardest one day classics.
Ciao, Grüezi, Guten Tag, Bonjour!
The sharp climb each of the ten laps created a race where strongmen, sprinters, and climbers could each play their cards.
Our team was a fun mix of experience and confidence and youthful enthusiasm. I’d call us strong and hungry underdogs.
This technical course makes positioning and efficiency almost as important as having the engine to smash up thirty-five three to five minute climbs.
Hailed as the hardest one week of racing on the calendar, this race is known for attracting the best climbers in the world in their best condition.
Freezing rain, crosswinds, mountains, and good friends.
"We continued to hammer, fighting to the death, but I sensed the chasers toying with us and almost wished they would end it to put us out of our misery."
An update on my 2017 season opener with Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka.
Bingen Fernandez inspired us throughout the Vuelta with this Henry Ford quote: "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success."
Keep fighting.
Finally a hotel with strong enough wifi to post. The first ten action packed days have flown by. Enjoy!
I spent over six race-less weeks, watching the TDF on TV, and whipping myself through countless intervals. 2016 marked my 6th time racing the Tour of Utah. I've been on the winning team four times. Eager to return to the action, I anticipated our high altitude defence.