Whew. The race has begun. I knew I was in for some suffering when I had trouble staying w/the neutral start! I saw my competitors sitting in 1st and 2nd ride off and just decided to race my race. The first major climb, Heinous Hill (of Breck Fall Classic fame), was truly heinous because of all the rain. Soft, loose and muddy all the way up. I reeled in the guy who was sitting in first on Heinous and just marked him. He was breathing badly and all over his bike, so I knew I had a chance. Yesterday's 2nd and 3rd place finishers were still up the road. I actually started feeling better in the second half of the race, and just after the second aid station attacked the guy in first on a long, dirt road. He told me afterwards he cramped when he tried to respond. I put two minutes into him, but never did see the race leaders.
I finished 3rd on the stage w/a 3:45, 2 mins back from 3rd on the GC. The guy currently sitting in third on GC was the guy I put time on today, so I think there's still a chance to move up. I think I'm 12 minutes off of 1st on GC and 9 mins back of 2nd. But I'm told the guy in first is an experienced stage racer (has done Cape Epic a few times, etc.).
Still battling some stomach issues. About to have a Pepto cocktail! That's it for now.
No comments:
Post a Comment