Time trial day again! One hill against the clock, a later start and much less time on the bike. In many ways a break from our usual full stage routine but still a very intense hour or so to prepare for and deliver. Col de l’Izoard from Briançon, 19km and with about 1200m of altitude
This blog will have two parts, my usual detailed race resumé followed by what I hope might be the start of a constructive discussion regarding how high performance can be obtained to do well in an event like this and….I want to bring up the subject of doping! Make sure you read the last bit
A shorter blog today compared to my usual 2000 words! Need some time to recover from an epic ride! 144km and a daunting 4600m of climbing ahead of us today, gulp. Col de la Madeleine, Col du Glandon and then the ascension of Alpe d’Huez. For those of us having done the Pyrenees last week
Stage 2 started in Megève with a summit finish atop the Col de la Loze, 122kms later. 3300m of climbing with the Col de Saisies and Cote de Montagny providing the substantial warm up climbs before the Loze. I slept badly and felt tired this morning. Maybe this would be the day when 8 previous
And so it begins again! For myself, Duncan Carrier, Adrian Beer and about 60 other riders we begin the second of our massive race weeks. Carefully designed travel and logistics have gone well from the Pyrenees meaning we managed a decent rest day in between these whopping weeks. For the Alps our Alpine Cadence Team
The final stage of the Pyrenees event. Despite some of us heading to do the Alps version tonight, we were all looking forward to getting this part of the job done. There would be a massive feeling of achievement if we could get through today regardless of how the Alps pan out. Today’s stage was
A beautiful, mild morning greeted us in Argelès Gazost for the start of Stage 6. 131kms ahead of us with 2700m of climbing provided by the ascents of the Col du Soulor, Col d’Aubisque, Col de Marie Blanque and then a fast and lumpy run in to the finish just outside Pau. The neutralised section
Stage 5 was the Individual Time Trial, the ‘race of truth’. Riders against the clock. Starting at 20 second intervals. One hill. No hiding. For many in the event it would be regarded as an easier day, certainly a lot less time on the bike, a bit longer in bed, a bit of respite from
The Stage 4 route somehow managed to cram in a whopping 3250m of climbing into just 82km. 3 classic and contrasting climbs: Col de Peyresourde, Hourquette d’Ancizan and then the Col du Tourmalet. The weather forecast was shocking, heavy rain for the duration of the stage and cold conditions particularly at 2115m atop the Tourmalet.
Stage 3 was our first full on mountain stage with climbing from the off. 131kms and 3600m of climbing. Port de Balès, Col des Ares, Col de Menté and finishing on the vicious ramps of the Hospice de France. Just 2km of neutralised lead out today and the flag went down as we left Bagnères