Disaster in France

Today’s stage was just like that last two, rainy and windy. I touched wheels with another rider and fell to the road. I had to abandon but X-Rays showed no broken bones and after a few days off, I can return to training and hopefully be ready for my next race, the Amstel Gold Race.

After spending the last month training for my main goal of the year, the Tour de France, I feel even better in the mountains. I still don't feel quite ready to be a contender in the hilly classics, but I might be able to help out my teammates.

It was an honor to be racing in such a prestigious race. I got all my emotions together and set off on the longest race I’ve been apart of in my career. For the 1st 40 kilometers different riders tried to get away but no one could. 50 kilometers in and I decided to go. 3 other riders followed including Rogers, who was wearing his Australian Champion jersey.



The rain was pouring down and the peloton decided not to chase. We worked well together and help a gap of 6 minutes at 1 point.



The peloton sped up and more breaks followed us. With just under 100 kilometers to go, we were caught by another group. Their legs were fresher so I spent the next 20 kilometers trying to keep up. Unfortunately I couldn’t keep up and I was dropped by the other groups.



The peloton wasn’t too far away and I was caught quickly and dropped tight off the back.



With 60 kilometers to go my legs were done so I called for the team car and finished the race in the team car. Up front Valverde had taken the lead and now had a huge gap in front of everyone else.



But out of no where Dekker flew by and took a huge lead with 10 km left.



Dekker held on to the lead and took the huge win for Silence Lotto. He finished over a minute ahead of Valverde.



I may not have even finished but I put my name out there and showed that I can handle those tough climbs.



Fleche Wallonne is next.

nice to see you geting your name out there. try and get millar a high place in fleche and lbl please

Agree, except for the Millar thing .

unfortunately he isn't good enough in the hills. But i will try. im about to post the fleche walonne. game crashed when trying to export results so there will be another screenshot showing the results.

Today I was told to stay in the peloton instead of trying to breakaway like I did during the Amstel Gold Race. There was a large group of 18 that held a 4 minute gap with approximately 100 kilometers left.



Saxobank, LPR, and a few other teams helped chase after the break and they were caught with 50 kilometers to go.



In the last 30 kilometers the favorites began to attack and it Gilbert who took the lead coming to the finish.



With a kilometer to go Gilbert still held a lead but Frank Schleck was chasing from right behind.



Every second Schleck was getting closer to Gilbert.




But who won?

I came in way behind and didn’t get a result even close to what I was looking for.

No Liege - Bastogne - Liege for me. My results haven't been good enough to make the trip and spend all that energy. Instead I will take the extra time to prepare for the Tour de Romandie. I feel like with another week of training, I can put up a good result.

I am now as ready for Romandie as I will ever be. I don't expect a win, but if the field is weak enough I can maybe take a stage.

I'm done for today. Will do Tour de Romandie tomorrow.

Good luck for Switzerland

I am going to say this again: correct this "...try to become THEY best irish cyclist..."

again? when did you suggest it the first time.

the field is really weak, so I hope I can do well.

good luck in romandie, I think that you can make at least a stage podium.

yeah he's really strong all ready. cyanide just haven't got the development right yet

I mentioned it in another thread, don't remember wich one... Aren't you going to correct it?

Cant wait for romandie

yes eventually. Im a little busy.

it is fixed