Race report...

What fun! We were treated to a very kind introduction to European racing – the hills were gentle, the roads were wide and smooth, the weather was beautiful, and fewer of the top riders were in attendance so the peleton was just a nice size – about 100. The way the race unfolded also made for an easier day – attacks went very early and soon a break of 10 riders including our top rider was away. Only one the top teams was not represented in the break and so the onus was upon them to chase. Our job was to try and sit near to the front and be ready to follow any wheels that tried to go up the road, or in the event that the break was caught, get ready for the counter-attack. This particular race was less intimidating than I had expected, but it will still take time to find my way in the peleton. Often I end up sitting near the back of the group because I am not aggressive enough and people “steel” the wheel that I am on, but I think I am slowly improving. The other entertaining difference was how vocal the women are – it seems that there is always yelling in French and Italian. Mostly I just ignored it because I was warned that when they see the Canadian jersey that they try to push you around – which they still do quite literally. In the end the break, which contained the strongest climbers, stayed away. The remaining group of about 50 contested the field sprint. This is definitely not my strength, but it was fun. There was a median in the road about 500 meters from the finish – the sprinters took it down the left side and I ended up on the right, and so I wasn’t in the mix. All and all it was a really fun day – I think I finished about 40th overall. Dan was able to catch the last half of the race which was nice. Dan and I went out for a delicious pizza after the race before he drove back to Houffalize where the Canadian crew is preparing for Sunday’s World Cup Mt Bike race. Dan will then fly direct to Penticton where the 13th Annual Dan’s Camp has already begun.