Italy is slowly disappearing under France. I like Italy (as
I have already mentioned in previous posts), and under normal circumstances I
would see this as a problem. The Scottish diet might have been better off
without the Italian influence, however life as a whole would be
disproportionately poorer. This is nothing to be particularly alarmed about, however,
the timescales we are talking about are on the geological scale. Italy is not
going anywhere, well, not quickly anyway.
This is, infact, something about which we should all rejoice.
You see, as Italy meanders under France it is gradually, although determinedly
creating the Alpes. It’s all to do with plate tectonics, you see. Basically, as
the two continental plates collide earth buckles and the Alpes are pushed ever
skyward.
I had never been to the Alpes until today. We took a short
bus ride to Embrun for the second individual time trial of this years Tour. And
what a belter it is. From the moment the shoveraffer shoves you aff, you are
out the saddle climbing, high above Lac Serre-Poncon. The view from the start
is stunning, but as you push ever skyward the view just gets better. If being
breathless from the exertion of the climb wasn’t enough, the view steals any
semblance of breath you might have had left. The colour of the lake is the deepest
green, like someone had crushed a million emeralds. Screeching precipitously
skyward are the Alpes soaring through the clouds and scraping a sky of the
deepest blue.
Then you plunge downward through a fast, sinuous, exhilarating
and frightening descent. Tight hairpins and shear drops on either side of the
road.
No sooner have you hit the bottom of the climb than you are
bounced skyward once again, up another steeper and longer climb through wild
flower pastures, before summiting with another vista over the Lac. Then there
is a shallow, fast descent down into Chorges.
A simply majestic way to spend a couple of hours on the
bike. It's not a normal time trial, given the amount of climbing, infact there is
scarcely any flat on the whole track. This is one for the grimpeurs rather than
the roulers. I doubt, very much whether Tony Martin will complete a double time
trial stage win in this years tour. Mark Wednesday 17th July in your
diary, however. This stage is going to be incredibly exciting. It was a
stunning course to ride, but not one that I would like to race. The downhill’s
are technical and there are likely to be a few misjudged corners. I would not
like to defend a lead on this course, its not one to be ridden conservatively.
Having said that I wouldn’t like to have to chase too hard either as any risks
that don't come off could be costly, and may not just be counted in lost seconds.
Its going to make for fantastic racing.
I loved the stage today. I went hard on both the climbs in
an attempt to wake my legs from their slumber, tomorrow will tell whether this
has worked, or has made the situation worse. Fingers crossed that I am feeling
strong tomorrow as we head into the Alpes proper. The next three days and the
next two in particular are possibly the toughest finish to the Tour in many years.
Tomorrow sees us climb Alpe d’Huez twice in a day. Then Friday. Friday is a stage to bust
balls and break hearts. I am going to need all the form that I can muster. I
simply cannot wait to get on my bike tomorrow and stamp on the pedals. I love
the hills and with the Alpe, the Glandon and the Madalaine all on the menu it’s
going to be some feast.
The pros cycled the first TT to Mont St Michel today. Their
times were around 34 minutes ish averaging an eye watering 54kph. I did the
course in just over an hour. I didn’t go full gas, but I was certainly pushing
hard. Admittedly our weather conditions were not particularly clement, but it
fills me with awe what the pros can do. I suspect Chris Froome et al will not
bother stopping to take pictures whilst doing this mountain TT. However, I
suspect again they will half my time.
Well, I guess compared to Italy, at least, I was moving pretty damn
quick.
From Gap,
N
No comments:
Post a Comment