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Well what a display from CSC about how to control a race and use your riders accordingly. A fantastic attack by Carlos Sastre at the base of the final climb in to Alp-d’huez seemed to be the logical things that CSC would try. But no one thought that the attack launched would hold off all the way to the finish. Sastre finished 2mins 30 ahead of Sanchez and team mate Schleck junior, and in the mean time recorded one of the fastest times up the climb – 39mins 45secs! As the Americans would say, ‘awesome’.
I must admit to feeling a bit let down by Cadel. I appreciate it’s a long tour and this was the last crucial stage where he could not afford to loose time. Also he could not cover all the attacks that where to come from CSC and had to choose his man. Obviously Schleck senior was the choice as he has what Cadel wants in Paris – yellow. It can be argued that in the time trial Cadel can out gun Sastre but he has to take back 1min 34 in one race and hope that the CSC train do not continue to attack him from all sides.
We all knew that on paper coming in to the tour CSC had the strongest team and that has been the case in this last week Evan’s Silence-Lotto team have not managed to support him in the high mountains when it counts and when you look down the general classification you can see 3 CSC riders in the top 20 as opposed to just Evans from his team. But still Cadel needs to excite the fans and show that he wants this tour. Earlier on in the year we all thought we had seen a new Cadel, Attacking in Paris-Nice we all celebrated that the Australian had suddenly found the courage to step in to the limelight and be aggressive. Now it looks like he has returned to type and is trying to limit his looses rather than risk all he has.
Don’t get me wrong I am a Cadel fan and last year was rooting for him the most to win and really hoped he could return this year to win. But I must admit that my allegiance has changed and now I am firmly on the CSC band-wagon. But still Cadel please fight for the yellow!
Till Paris or before,
Emma x
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The legend that is the Alp! Well I have finally reached stage 17 and the most important stage so far of this Tour – Alp-d’Huez. I am currently sat in my hotel room that is situated 500m from the finish line. As I look out I can see fans stretching for as far as I can see, campers, tents and people on bikes everywhere. This morning at breakfast David and I where talking about the cult that is the Alp. It is a bit like Glastonbury for cyclists – it’s a cult that at least once in your life you have to experience.
Sean drove us last night from Jausiers to the hotel and I have to admit to feeling like I was in very capable hands been driven at over 100km per hour taking hair pins on some of the other alpine passes. And a nice bit of co-driving by David, “ ok Sean I can see 3 hair pins down and there is nothing coming overtake the camper”. But I was happy to see our hotel at 10pm after setting off at 6.30pm! Most people think that we have a great life and I am not one to disagree. Being paid to work on the Tour de France and talk about a sport that I am passionate about is one of the best jobs in the world but our lives for 3 weeks are hardly glamorous.
I will describe my day yesterday for you. Get up at 8am, drive 100km to Cuneo, drink coffee in piazza, wait for riders to arrive, talk to riders and team managers, get in car, drive 150km to finish area, arrive and park, find commentating area, relax, talk about race, finish race, back in car and drive 200k to Alp-d’heuz, arrive late and find greasy burger van open and eat, bed finally. There isn’t much time for anything else apart from the Tour and it’s pretty hard to try and remember what day it is apart from it’s a rest day or a mountain finish. So the Tour adventure goes on.
Now its time to go and watch the bike race and make some comments. I am so impressed at CSC at the moment. We never saw them in the first week and now they have come to the fore when they need to and are taking the race by the scruff of the neck. I really wanted Evans to do well but his style is pretty passive, I either want him to attack or completely die. But he is always there hanging and waiting. The Armstrong era may be classed as boring by some but I personally loved watching Lance attack. He knew he could win but still he attacked and always took it to his rivals. It’s Evans’ race to loose and he is just sitting and watching, hanging there and waiting for the time trial. Please Cadel just once try and attack.
Yesterday saw an awesome display of teamwork by CSC and the Schleck brothers where both amazing. I think that they truly deserve all that they have and they have certainly earned those jerseys. Well for now I can hear the Alp getting busier. The atmosphere in English speaking fans is divided. Some TV’s are blaring out Phil and Paul and from others I can hear David and Sean. Only 100km to go and that’s my cue to go!
Later,
Emma x
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Well its now the second rest day of the tour and officially the end of my mini break here in France. After a hectic first week up to the rest day I took a few days rest to enjoy France. It has been great to experience the tour from a fans perspective. After last year been my first tour de France that I worked on I was like any new person who works on the tour that has been a cycling fan for a while. Looking at all the cyclists and bikes and team buses, trying to grab every piece of tour de France related freebie out there it was mad. But this year I have settled in to the blasé situation of eating dinner with TDF legend Sean Kelly and other commentators that where ex riders, and seeing the TDF lions go past in the parade like this is something that happens every day.
Well for a few days I experienced the TDF from the other side of the barrier. I became a fan again. It was awesome to see the riders and teams from a fan angle as opposed to a reporter/commentator that is there for a reason. To be able to appreciate what a spectacle the tour is in its own right. As a double Olympian I have seen spectacles in Athens and Sydney, but the Tour happens year after year, fans old and young, every one has their favourites and knows this race wherever they are from.
Watching the convoy that leads the race is a spectacle in its own right. 25km of pure theatre pass your eyes as dancing squirrels and moving coffee cups make their way along the route. Women throw thousands of objects along the route to waiting fans. People who have been there hours even days to get a free key ring shaped like a cow and a brief 5 second glimpse of their favourite rider. This is awesome. Some people say that the TDF is dead with all the drug allegations that are thrown at it year after year. All I would say is to go and experience one day of the tour. See how many fans old and young are out on the road watching, this is a sport that will never be dead. Vive the Tour!!
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There has been a recent lack of blogs by myself. I must admit to starting several whilst racing the Tour de l’aude in France, but as with any stage race stringing more than 10 words together became a challenge in itself. Having ridden this race on several occasions, I was under no illusions as to what lay ahead. However the last time I rode this race was back in 2005, pre spinal injury, broken collarbone and DVT. This placed a whole new dimension on the race and I had to drastically alter my own ambitions as the race went along.
Team Swift held their training camp in Limoux and so we had some super accommodation sorted as a result. Also we where all familiar with the area and wind! In this area of France, the aude region near Carcassone and Toulouse the wind is infamous and it certainly took its toll within the race itself.
In the race from Swift where myself, Toni, Marina, Debby, Gabby and Helen. This was one of the most experienced and strongest teams Swift had fielded. For myself the race was mixed. I finished the race, but 2 hours behind the winner, Susane Ljunskog from Sweden. I didn’t have the race that I had wished for, but I have certainly come out of it stronger and seeing the next few races are in Holland and flat I am hoping that all that climbing will have made me stronger for the wind.
Also since the last blog I hosted the Spring training camp in Port Alcudia for London to Paris (www.londres-paris.com). As with the last camp I met some fantastic people and had a fantastic week with old and new friends. London to Paris is certainly a community and with every training camp, training ride, trip to London I feel like I become more of the community and keep making friends.
So from a training camp in Majorca to a stage race in France with a few kermesse races thrown in what else is in store and where from here? Well currently I am spending a few days in North Wales. My parents live here and I have arrived at the same time as the good weather it would seem. So a few days relaxing in the garden at Ty Derw is on the agenda. I then return to Belgium for races in Holland. Before I know it July will be here and I will be heading around France with David and Sean in the Euro Sport car following the tour. Full steam ahead – well not for a few days at least!
David and I will also be at the Dragon ride on the 15th June in south Wales (www.dragonride.com) so come along and say hi to us – I just hope the sun is shining as I have some awesome new glasses from Adidas.
Anyway till next time take care and keep riding,
Emma x
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Since my last diary entry life has been hectic here in Belgium. But before I go any further I must say congratulations to my new team Chelsea FC for getting in to the European Champions Final! Ok so I have only become a football fan, let alone a Chelsea fan in the last month but, I am now understanding the basics, run around for 90 mins and kick the ball in to the net! Even though I am from south Manchester and my dad being a Man City supporter is probably cringing at my new allegiance I must admit that I only visited my first game as a guest from Adidas and happened to be at Chelsea. Apparently this is the only way to watch football. But it certainly made me realise how far behind in terms of supporters cycling is in the UK.
Anyway enough football musings. The racing has been going ok. I won at Evergem after an 86km break. For some reason I decided to follow an attack after 200m and just carried it on. I was joined by an aussie girl, Leonie and we stayed away till the end. It has been a long time since I celebrated a win and I was very happy that my dad and 2 friends where there to watch. Team Swift has been racing most weekends and as I am writing this I am just waiting to go racing a crit in Bornem, near Antwerp. Just my favourite!
We finally thought the sun had come to Belgium last weekend as the gauges showed 25 degrees but the last few days have turned cold and rainy so it’s a good job I am off to Majorca for 9 days. I am back off to Majorca to lead the London to Paris (www.londres-paris.com) spring training camp. I have planned most of the routes and am confident that the whole group will get in enough riding time needed for the event itself.
Racing this year has been strange. Its great to be back racing but strange to see everyone preparing for the Olympics. In some ways I sit back and think ‘been there and done that’ but in others it is hard. After all the injury and illness it makes you realise just how much you have lost as a consequence and sometimes I become reflective. But as always the things that have come from the last 2 and half years are irreplaceable.
Lastly I would just like to say congratulations to my friends Ruth and Paul on getting married!
Till next time,
Emma x
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