Masterblaster01 wrote:
Wow that's a strong field! Good luck in Catalunya and top 10 would be an awesome result

Tamijo wrote:
Good luck, strong competition in this one.

Ian Butler wrote:
Wonder what he can do here Top 10 is reasonable but won't be easy!

You still have to go back and fix some headings for Tirreno (??? -->

cunego59 wrote:
Btw, does anyone actually check those "???"? I've been curious for a while now

Ian Butler wrote:


Hahaha just did

cunego59 wrote:
Yes, every post it's a new one. Hopefully all of them worth checking out

The opening stage of the race starts - and finishes - in the tourism epicentre of Calella on the Costa del Meresme. It's a course with lots of hills but no really challenging climb. Escapees will fight for the mountain points while the sprinters who can get over hills decently well should compete for the stage win.

We want to take part in both those challenges: Being part of the group of the day is our main objective, and Jay will try his luck in the final sprint. I just want to stay upright on my bike.

Cesare Benedetti managed to sneak into the breakaway. However, he was not at his best today, and couldn't compete for the many mountain points up for grabs today.

With very, very little activity in the peloton, we could keep ourselves in the first few positions on the only category one climb of the day. We had no intentions of trying anything this far from the finish, and neither did anyone else.

Which means we can jump straight into the finale. The breakaway had split on the final climb, and those who had remained in front still had two minutes on the peloton. Unfortunately, Cesare was not among them.

Jay and I decided to have some fun in the finale and participate in the sprint. With nothing on the line, most other teams didn't prep that much and Jay came out on top. Not a missed stage win for us though, as it would have been a completely different finish had it not been for the breakaway. I finish 11th, which is nice!

We're here for a 40 kilometers team time trial around Banyoles, famous for its eponymous sea that hosted the Olympic rowing competitions in 1992. The route is mostly flat with only one small downhill and ascent, respectively, between the two checkpoints.

With its length, this time trial should lead to some considerable time gaps, and we haven't done too well so far on team time trials this season. But with Jan and Maciej both here today, we aim to improve that.

The first checkpoint gives us hope! We're second so far, but there are still loads of teams to come.

Fast forward to the final kilometers, and we're keeping up a good pace. We even set the provisional best time, but we are fairly sure that won't stand.

The somewhat surprising winners are Lotto NL! They beat Katusha by 10 seconds, so the two GC riders who gain the most today are second row contenders Kruijswiijk and Zakarin.

We find ourselves in seventh place, a decent result. I lose time on Porte, Froome and Chàves but gain some on many others.