|
After having just woken up from my afternoon sleep, I think it's starting to finally sink in... I've completed my first Tour, thanks to the SA National Team. Although only a 4day Tour, it feels good to get that 'first one' out the way!
The Giro Del Capo started with a fairly fast 106km stage through and around the beautiful Cape Town Vineyard Region. With some rolling hills to look forward to, team Barloworld also intended using the extreme crosswinds to their advantage, in an attempt to split the field into groupettos (which they did!) I ended up somehow staying in the lead group, almost 2 minutes ahead of the main field. This was great while it lasted, but a slip in concentration saw me lose touch with the group, and get blown to what felt like a stand still by the incredibly powerful wind. I waited for the main field to sweep me up, as we headed toward a solid category 2 climb - as anticipated, I suffered up the climb thanks to my efforts earlier in the day! We made up almost 2minutes on the descent, reaching speeds in excess of 80km/h around the corners... We finished almost 15mins behind the winner; not too bad considering. Day two was a little less satisfying than day one, thanks mainly to mechanical problems and a lack of organisation. The route was 3 x 45km loop in Bellville, Cape Town. The pace was high, and as was with day 1, temperatures reached 43 degrees! I felt good once we got moving, but a flat wheel made things a bit harder for me. Usually one just waits for the team car, lets the mechanic put a new wheel in, and off he goes! Simple really – but somehow I ended up with; the wrong wheel, no mechanic in the car, and consequently ended my days racing in the car! Not ideal by any means... Day three was a gruelling 167km, in 43degree heat, with 2 x category 2 climbs. With Barloworlds dominance being challenged by the Germans, Polish, and Dutch, it seemed all hell would soon break loose! But really the heat combined with the distance was the real killer, with over 40 riders withdrawing! I was almost among them and also wanted to end in there. My head was going to explode, my cheek bones hurt, my pelvis ached, my feet were on fire... But team manager from Konica Minolta, John Robertson got me back on my bike, poured ice water over my head, and dragged me back to the peloton at 75km/h, while I hung onto his car. I dragged myself over the line, surprisingly finishing only 14 minutes off 1st place, alongside Robbie Hunter, Alex Rassmussen and several other big names, seemingly reduced to ‘normal riders’ by the extreme heat. My body was history by this point, and beyond help! We had a Rest Day between days three and four, so I spent time watching cricket on TV in front of the fan, eating yoghurt, fruit, and everything else. As was with everyone else, I downed 3.5litres of water that morning, to make up for the losses from the day before. Day four was a short stage in comparison to day three, with only 110km of sharp climbs, long climbs... lots of climbs! I felt great in this stage, with powerful gusts of wind adding to the challenge. I managed a breakaway effort with 6 other guys, but after watching them fight over position, I sat up and rolled back into the main field (the breakaway failed 5km later) The race remained as it had started, with Barloworld dominating the event from start to almost the finish... A surprise win from team Medscheme really shook Barloworlds tank, and surprised even Phil Liggett – world famous commentator of the Tour De France. With my Tour finally over, I can rest easy and enjoy my sleep tonight. Tomorrow I am packing my stuff to drive 400km to Outdshoorn, for the SA National Championships; 170km with 3 category 2 climbs! Bring it on.... Still keeping my eye out for emails from back home! It’d be nice to hear how you are all going – since you said you would stay in touch!?! That’s if you can find the time... Ciao til next time. |
