Day 1 - Col du Very Difficult
Apart from nearly missing the flight on account of train delays, it was a glorious journey with fabulous views of Lake Geneva when we were coming into land.
And, as I'm riding unsupported, I took the guvnor's advice and packed light.
Anyway, today's stage was from Geneva to the finish of Stage 8 at Station des Rousses in the Jura Mountains and back to Geneva.
I stupidly thought that as it wasn't the Alps it would be easy - how wrong I was. After big ringing it up the gradual pre climb, I struggled to keep up with my first riding companion of the day, Vincent from Geneva and he dropped me half way up the Col de la Faucille 10k of pain at 8% with the temperature hitting 33°C.
Various team busses and cars overtook me, some offering some verbal support but not the sticky bottle that I needed.
Still, I made it to the top, cue obligatory photo.
Luckily, I was able to keep up with Hugo from Nyon who towed me along for the final 5k of the ride and we just made it in time to see the riders go past - slightly quicker than I had been riding.
The peleton had split to pieces on the final climb so we saw about 10 groups of riders go past with shouts of allez allez all round.
GVA was looking classy as ever.
And Matty Hayman was taking a well earned rest in a group towards the back.
Then after the autobus went past, I rode to the finish and in a bizarre reversal, one of the Quickstep Directeur Sportives shouted out of the team car in admiration of my 90s Refin jersey. We got chatting about 90s cycling style when he was a pro and whether Dan Martin could maintain or better his top 5 position in GC.
Luckily, the ride back to Geneva was slightly easier, helped by Claude and his mate towing me back up the easier side of the Col de la Faucille.
I stopped on the decent for more pro team stalking at Team UAE's hotel but luckily for him, no sign of Ben Swift.
The day ended with some lakeside Pizza and a gallon of coke in an attempt to rehydrate myself.
So, after today's 150km and 2,000m of climbing, I think I'm going to take tomorrow a bit easier...
And, as I'm riding unsupported, I took the guvnor's advice and packed light.
Anyway, today's stage was from Geneva to the finish of Stage 8 at Station des Rousses in the Jura Mountains and back to Geneva.
I stupidly thought that as it wasn't the Alps it would be easy - how wrong I was. After big ringing it up the gradual pre climb, I struggled to keep up with my first riding companion of the day, Vincent from Geneva and he dropped me half way up the Col de la Faucille 10k of pain at 8% with the temperature hitting 33°C.
Various team busses and cars overtook me, some offering some verbal support but not the sticky bottle that I needed.
Still, I made it to the top, cue obligatory photo.
Luckily, I was able to keep up with Hugo from Nyon who towed me along for the final 5k of the ride and we just made it in time to see the riders go past - slightly quicker than I had been riding.
The peleton had split to pieces on the final climb so we saw about 10 groups of riders go past with shouts of allez allez all round.
GVA was looking classy as ever.
And Matty Hayman was taking a well earned rest in a group towards the back.
Then after the autobus went past, I rode to the finish and in a bizarre reversal, one of the Quickstep Directeur Sportives shouted out of the team car in admiration of my 90s Refin jersey. We got chatting about 90s cycling style when he was a pro and whether Dan Martin could maintain or better his top 5 position in GC.
Luckily, the ride back to Geneva was slightly easier, helped by Claude and his mate towing me back up the easier side of the Col de la Faucille.
I stopped on the decent for more pro team stalking at Team UAE's hotel but luckily for him, no sign of Ben Swift.
The day ended with some lakeside Pizza and a gallon of coke in an attempt to rehydrate myself.
So, after today's 150km and 2,000m of climbing, I think I'm going to take tomorrow a bit easier...
Top blogging Guv'nor! A contract with QS is only a matter of time surely. Keep upright and hydrated...
ReplyDelete