TDU Stage 3+4…
Failed to post a stage update yesterday because all my attention was directed at maximum recovery for the evening after a hard day of biking. It was said that yesterdays stage may have been the hardest stage in TDU history as it was 140 km of insane cross winds, crashes and chasing. It was on from the gun and we failed to make a group of about 15 riders that made it up the road so we chased, and chased then chased some more. It was a few of us and some of the Rabobank boys against the break, which included some heavy hitters like that Lance guy. We finally caught them at about the 100 km point with only about 45 rider left in the main bunch. Cam then launched a flyer to try and get a gap to make it over the last KOM, with his shoulder being sore its a bit hard for him to pull hard on the bars when it was go time, and he managed to stay out there quite a while before we rolled in for a bunch sprint. Rabo won the sprint and deserved after the work they did, any other day or race that sort of break would have stuck. Today I was really hoping for a calmer day to give the legs a bit of recovery before tomorrow’s hard stage that includes two finishing circuits that are exposed and have a big climb, but it was again a nervous day. The start was fast but a little group of 3 non GC threats got up the road and we cruised for a bit before Katusha who wanted a sprint for McEwen started chasing and with the wind at an angle all day everyone was nervous that things could split. That meant fight for position all day but it eventually all came to a sprint. Ryder gave it a good dig for us on the last KOM of the day but with the rolling downhill after and it being 30 km to the finish still it wasn’t to be. Tomorrow is going to be epic with cross winds and climbing, also being the last chance for the sprinters to be put into trouble, should be good.
