The days were long and hot. School was boring and dull.
I wanted to go home, but couldn't. I was stuck here in Spain.
I was lonely, lost in life, and afraid I had made the wrong decision.

That all changed one evening in a local Irish/Spanish pub in Malaga.



I had roughly two weeks left of classes before returning back home.
It was a normal Saturday night; I was alone looking for something to do.
That's when I happened to stumbled into this pub I had never noticed before.

The live music and karaoke caught my attention.
But it was the friendly people that made me stay. I'm glad I did.
It was one of those moments in time that changed my life forever.

I'll never forget the look on his face when our eyes met for the first time.

So, was it love at first sight?
For him, probably. For me, I don't believe in that fairy-tale nonsense.

After an exciting time for the
cycling world, the final scouting race
had finally come upon us. Personallly,
I finally saw opportunity. The final race
would take on a double ascend of Alpe d'Huez!

The French Federation added some awards
for intermediate sprints and mountain sprints.



But I was there for only one thing: the main prize.
It was the final chance to show yourself to those who
would wave around with contracts only a few weeks after.

By the time we got to the first climb of Alpe d'Huez,
I was dying of nerves. I couldn't hold myself in
any longer. I had great legs, and I wanted
everyone to see it! I planned an early
attack that day!



Somewhat disappointing in name, Scouting Race #10
would become an immediate trademark in French
modern cycling history. It was the first close
battle between Jimmy Licina and me.

The country would be divided
for many decades to come.
Upon entering anyone's
home, the question
was always the
same:

Licina or Vergnaud?





We gave each other nothing. I tried
to hide my face behind my
sunglasses. Jimmy went
without, he always had
a perfect poker
face.



That day, we were a cut above the rest.
By the time we got to the 2nd
climb of Alpe d'Huez, we
held a 3 minute lead
already.



I wasn't feeling so sure about my sprint.
Maybe I could beat him, but I didn't
know. Either way, I wanted to get
rid of him as soon as possible.
The only way was up now!
I attacked!



I got away, but he never
gave me more than
40 meters.



In the final kilometer, just when
I thought I had finally left
him behind, he came at
me with a monster
acceleration!



He overtook me with 100 meters to go.
I hadn't seen him coming, rookie
mistake! I got out of my saddle
and tried to turn my pedals
as fast as possible!



His final kilometer had taken a toll,
In the final 30 meters, he cracked,
and the victory was mine for the
taking! It had been close, but
our first ever dual would have
my name behind it.
Vergnaud!



It was the start of a true rivalry.
But a sweeter begin, I couldn't have
ever wished for. "Bring it on," I thought.

December 10, 2034

I remember the day like yesterday.
I remember the waiting. I remember the nervousness.
Most of all... I remember the hurt, the pain, and look on his face.

A look of fear that echoed through my mind for years.

A day that started with so much promise and optimism.
I remember flipping through the ICU handbook with Joseph,
picking out teams he would like to ride for and teams he wanted no part of.

A day that would end in agony and shock.
Go ahead, call it The Comeback curse...

But in truth, it was just another obstacle my son was going to overcome.