The first half of the race was relatively uneventful.  The speed was pretty high, and there were never any breaks established.  The second part of the race included the 7 marked climbs, but only the last 3 or 4 were long enough or late enough to generate any dangerous racing.  Once that did start to happen, Cervelo, High Road, and Nurnberger did a good job of controlling things, or keeping their lead riders in a position to win. 

My day was solid.  I stayed safe and somewhat protected in the first part of the peloton.  I was mentally zoned in so that even though there was chaos all around me, I was relaxed and not bothered by it.  As we got to the later points in the race, I was more alert and ready for any potential breakaways trying to escape on the climbs.  I certainly didn’t want to initiate anything, but I was very willing to be a part of a good group, if there was a move late enough. 

The first serious attempt came by Luperini toward the top of the Bohissau.  She went away solo, and with little reaction behind, quickly established a one minute lead.  The previously mentioned teams, though, organized over the top and captured her on the bottom of the Cote de Ahin.  As the capture happened, Bigla’s Cantelle attacked and took Cooke and Bastianelli with her.  I was watching the chase break down and decided this might be a good group to go with, so I went across to the break.  Without any cooperative riding, we were captured by a small group of 12 riders.  Since a few of the favorites were missing, and since Cooke had two teammates there, the British team drove this group.  There was just too much fast downhill and too many motivated teams to get their leaders back, though, and we were swallowed up somewhere in the final 8k’s by many more riders.

The lead in to the wall was fast and furious as it always is.  I felt good early and followed Arndt, Vos, and Cooke.  I lost contact during a subtle moment when I hesitated out of fear of some fans not moving out of my way.  That probably didn’t make a difference, since the three on the podium were a step above in the final 500m, but I don’t know for sure.  I fought until the end, and I finished in 5th.   

I was encouraged with my race, and I am looking forward to the next big three on the calendar.  The invitation only time trial in Switzerland, Le Magali Pache, the Tour de Berne World Cup (also in Switzerland,) and the Tour de l’Aude in France.

On the Wall

On the Wall

The calm before the storm.

Neutral roll out.

Good pain, but not enough of it.