I just wanted to update you all on the stage race I did in Frankfurt, Germany! This was a 3 day race called the 3 Etappen-Rundfahrt der Rad and it had an 8km time trial and two road races - one that was 92km and one that was 103km.
Stage 1
The time trial was a great course for me. Flat and no wind! 8km of pure power which almost sounded to good to be true. So just to make things more interesting it decided to rain just as we arrived. I really don't mind riding in the rain but there were five turns on the course and they were all u-turns and with the rain they were SLIPPERY. Anyway, my start time comes and I take off. I settle in around 50km/hr and come up to my first turn and nearly come to a dead stop so I don't fall. I kick back up and I am off again. I'm flying down the road and feeling great. A few u-turns later I am 1 km from the finish and I'm in the cave. It is raining and it was one of those moments when you just feel like a beast! I drilled it and crossed the line at 11min and 17sec. I was 42nd on GC at the end of the day.
Stage 2
The second stage was a 25km rolling climb to a summit and then a rolling desent with a 3km climb to the finish. I was feeling good and I was in the front of the group racing aggressively but smart. About twenty five kilometers into the race I went down, not extremely hard but I was on the ground long enough for me to have to chase the peloton down. I worked my way through the caravan and back to the group. By this time there was a group off the front of about 30 guys which we ended up chasing down. It was so intense. We were all just drilling it! When we finally caught them it was nice to know that all that energy was not wasted. So we came to the final climb and I was digging so deep just giving everything I had to stay but with 2km they rode away from me! Let me tell you these kids in Europe can climb!
Stage 3
The third stage was a 103km stage, mostly flat with some long rollers. Not to bad, sounds like a great stage for me but once again there is always something!! A very steep 3km climb at the end of the race. I don't get it. Does every race in Europe have a hill climb at the finish? Okay. Once again I'm feeling great and I'm riding great! Setting tempo up the hills, riding at the front and riding smart. My mission that day was to attack after the first sprint section 32km into the race. So with the sprint coming up I find myself jockying for position! I'm right there! I actually have a shot at getting some sprint points! We're flying down this hill towards the sprint line when I see the sign for 500m. I swing left and jump! There was another kid that jumped too and I almost got him but he snagged it at the line! MAN! I got second and a few points but now the real game plan goes into effect . ..the attacks. Paul, Tanner and I take turns just flying off the front forcing the pack to chase. We did that for about 10-15km and finally stopped when it was apparent that nothing was going to stick. So with 5k to go we are just hauling down the road, flying around round-abouts and dodging road furniture as well. And then we were at the base of the 3km finishing climb! Up, up, up and I was dropped with about 500m to the line. Better then yesterday but I still need to work on my climbing endurance. I was very happy with my effort considering the miles upon miles of climbing I've accomplished here. This experience has really opened my eyes to what I am capable off and what I can endure in my training and even more so in my racing.
I will be off to another 3 day stage race and will fill you in on the details when I get back.
Eamon
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