Archive for July, 2006
Getting through Beauce and finally a holiday!
G’day,
Half the year has flown by and its time to put the feet up for two weeks. This is one break I really needed, mentally and physically.
It’s been a while since I have ridden for myself, and as much as I enjoy it, it comes with a bit of stress. Theirs stress to get results, to stay up the front, and to not let your team mates down who have sacrificed their race for yours. Mentally I needed to have a few days off the bike and refresh the head. Physically I was absolutely nailed. My legs had had a gutful and were on the downhill slide. Though, I fought through the bad legs with one last effort, in Tour de Beauce.
Tour de Beauce is one tour I had enjoyed in the past, back in 2002/03 and was keen to get back there. I did remember how hard it is but I also enjoyed the race last time I was there. I have been a lucky one though, riding the two years that the race was almost rain free. Tour de Beauce, also known as Tour de rain was once again good to me and we had pure dry weather, I was one happy lad.
I arrived in St Georges, 100km from Quebec City keen for a good result but was unsure how the legs would pull up. I had just finished a 255km Philli, on the Sunday and two flights with no ride on the Monday. The first hour of the first stage was gunna hurt. My girlfriend Sophie was with me, out from Oz for a two week trip, and I was also keen to catch up with my good mate Harro. A few beers every night were in order to catch up on the past 9 months.
The tour went ok for me, but not brilliant. I missed the two major breaks on the first two days and gave away more than a few minutes to the front rivals. So I was behind the eight ball from then on.
The third day was a hill top finish were I held my own, finishing 9th. The next day in the TT I once again held my own, and even gaining some time back on some riders in the top 10. Not bad for someone who has nightmares about those TT’s. In the afternoon after the TT I managed a 5th in the criterium, but was disappointed after being marked heavily coming into the final laps.
The last two days my legs were definitely felling the season in them. I was not on my game and legs were screaming. Although I still had a go at moving into the top 10, but I wasn’t go far with the GC settled and everybody watching everybody.
In the end I was happy enough, finishing in the money everyday and finishing 13th overall with what I thought was average form. I was happier to get a rest from racing after a full race schedule. Also, hats off to Austin King, who rode like an absolute diesel doing an awesome domestique job. The team together rode fantastic at Philli too and I was so impressed with the boys.
My bike went straight to Philli where I was racing next and I went to NYC with Sophie for a 5 day holiday. I was pretty pleased about that. Apart from doing the usual touristy stuff we got to a New York Mets game, a broadway show, did a fair bit of shopping and a lot nice dinners. I really enjoyed both the broadway show, The Producers, and had a ball at the Mets game. I also caught up with my mate Andy “Cush” Yee who was in NYC at the same time for a few beers. He will be arriving in Nashville to kick around with me and Hop, later on today
From New York, I then headed to Philli for two days before returning to Nashie after being on the road for a month. I did a local race for Ken Mills not far outta Philli. After 5 days off the race was a shock to the system.
I am now back in Nashie and will be back into light training tomorrow before getting some miles in before heading to Tour Cascade in two weeks. Look forward to some interesting stories between Hop, Cush and I next time.
Cheers Willo
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Hittin the road and HITTING the road
G’day,
I had two and a half weeks home in Nashville, the longest stint I have in my pad all year. After Tour Georgia, the USA Crits and being on the road for ages I was a bit tired and needed the down time at Nashie.
After a few easy days and a lot of couch time I started to get back into the training. On top of that, Hoppy and I got to a few local races. Two weekends in a row Hoppy and I raced locally, and by no means were they easy races. It was great training, good miles, bit of coin and a few wins.
Training has been great with days hitting the 30 degree mark and enjoying the long training in the out back Tennesse country side.
We also got the chance to get into a few other activities while we were home. For the first time I went to a game of soccer, a friendly between America and Morocco, a fortnight out from the world cup. I didn’t really care who won so when Morocco scored the only goal with 2mins remaining there weren’t too many people impressed with me and Hoppy high- fiving each other and hugging when they scored.
We then hit the road again for a big line up of races. We raced Raleigh and Summerville in the first week, then Captech classic, then Philli week. After that we have a day off and start Tour Beause in Canada. I didn’t have the best run in the firstt two crits with bad legs and a mix of weather. My form wasn’t as good as it was but I deffinately have the miles in the legs and was hoping its came together for Philli week and Tour Beause.
The form then started heading in the wrong direction especially when I do stuff like dropping myself out training. It’s always the slow crashes that knock you around the most. After a last minute call to turn left I dropped myself in some gravel and opened up my knee. I had to get a few stitches but it just meant I could hardly walk and had to take a few days off the bike.
I had to sit out Captech Classic which was hard to take as it was a hard hilly criterium which would’ve suited me. I also skipped the CSC Classic and my first race back was Lancaster. After doing about 100km in 5 days I was a bit worried about going into this race, especially seeing as I couldn’t walk. Things didn’t get much better after 2km when I got caught in a crash and had to chase for 20km to get back on. The boys did an awesome job, to get me back in contact. I suffed for a while after that but hung on to finish 12th in a 30 up bunch kick.
A few easy day and the next race was Reading. After a few slow and boring days and the Day Inn, my knee was back to 100%, although still with stitches. The race finished with a 2km climb with 4km to go. It obviously split to bits and I finished 14th.
Finally, onto to Philli, the big one! I had good legs all day this day and the team rode awesome for me. After 255km it came down to a 35 rider sprint with a few fast guys still there. I was outta my league in the sprint and hung on for 15th. I was happy with that but the legs were great over all the climbs and day and would’ve been happier to come to the line in a smaller group.
Now I have just arrived for Tour Beause in Canada, a six day stage race. My legs are tired, form ok but need a rest. After Beause, I am going to have a week of the bike and have a holiday in New York, that will be my mid season break… Well deserved.
Cheers Willo
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