Stage 5th
Palazuollo - Riolo Terme
This is the
genuine picture of Tuscany/Emilia Romagna, just like in the guide books:
picturesque, divine-like countryside, lovely tracks, tranquil places and the
coveted sunshine. Although, the latter was long time coming but midday, we got
it abundantly. Also the route choice has been opted wisely, with much less
hiking.
Drizzle at the
start, and again the first 10km have been tackled in cross country manner,
relentlessly, in order to eliminate as much riders as feasible.
I had to take a
10sec pit stop shortly for a chain lubing [as so often during the week]. But
then I found my rhythm and was able to deal with the elements, and partially
water soaked tracks, much easier. We rode [with my immediate competitors] a
while, however I decided to up the tempo, and keep it as long as a healthy
distance is created. This cushion was needed, first for the GC, second because
of their gifted downhill skills, where I was handicapped [due to my vision].
I’m convinced
that the majority was vastly affected by inconsistent track surface, eternally
changing ups and downs [no rhythm to be found] and all those negative factors
that sucked ones morale and spirits. I for one, being utterly positive, did
better, and my mere focus was only on gaining time and having fun [up to a
point] in the process.
What followed
was a Garden Eden of singlet tracks one must totally relish. That made me
beaming and had me push harder, even though much of the day has been ridden on
my own, at times passing some rider ahead of me. Water points have been moved
again, and were few and far between [everyday on 1or 2 places on the whole
distance], but I didn’t care much about.
We faced the last
horribly steep [we were literally on our hands and knees] and long slick-rock
climbing that made rip off my shoes, was a turning point of the stage.
When I reached
the peak I saw 2 guys at the bottom behind me [some 2min difference] calling
out my name and undoubtedly all set to catch me. Oh no, Thomas Steger,
Agnoletti and Bresciani were at my heels. All the effort has gone down the
tube. 15km to go, and I got to up the ante, went deep and took way more risk I
would normally take. But I didn’t want to let it happen. I meant to keep my
placing, what’s more make up grounds.
The following
downhill saw me flying, and the conclusive uphill was a hurt locker itself.
When I entered Riolo Terme and had 3 km to ride I knew I sealed the day.
For the first
time, the arrival and the subsequent refreshment was something really to be
savored. 12. in the GC and 8. in my category meant, target met, even if there
was still a small margin to improve on that.
Comfy hotel,
delicious food, pleasant massage - all ingredients we were spoiled with, and
are imperative to do well in a stage race. The last 2 stages won’t be walking
in the park, but that’s more than OK, as the forecast calls for uninterrupted
sunshine, hot temperatures and hopefully dried up terrain. I felt reasonable
well and was up to the task [top ten in GC is still within reach, as well as
6-7 in my cat.].
Stage 6th Riolo Terme - Riolo Terme
The general
question wasn’t who has the power to do more but who is less dead. As the final
length of the ‘tappa’ was still in the limbo, we were just guessing something
between 80-90km. I for one, basically it didn’t bother me if it is even 150km, just need to
know so that some pacing and measured power application can be made.
And off we go.
This called for a very intense riding because tomorrow’s ITT of 20km doesn’t
give a big realm of improvement in the GC. So if one was about to move up, that
was the day to do his/her best. The legs were good enough, regardless of the
accumulating fatigue. Most essentially, though, if the mind is still fresh and
spirits are high, that’s half the battle.
The first 10km
was a race of attrition, even though on not challenging jeep-roads and some
pothole-littered tarmac, the never ending ups and downs did enough damage;
hence the field has been eliminated. I was blessed enough being in the second
group and to be able to keep up with them. Sure, I hoped all along that the fierce
full pace will level off somehow and I can take a breather, reshuffle, and
finally, if there is something still in my tank, up the ante towards the end of
the stage.
The group of
favorites was very cohesive; none was successful with their on and off attacks,
as those surges were responded immediately. We needed more challenging terrain,
technical downhills or massively steep uphills to diminish the group. Lastly, 4
of us went, just by elevating the pace. I wasn’t sure whether I can endure this
higher speed, and then pay dearly at the end. But I took my chances.
I lost some
precious second at the water point, though [as there weren’t prepared filled
bottles nor any assistance], so the following downhill called for taking more hazards
if I was about to close the gap to those 3. That proved to be fatal as I went,
for the first time, over the handlebars, and hit my head hardly in the process.
Nothing disastrous, however, minus some bruises, bloody knees elbows and palm.
In brief, I was caught by 2 higher-ups [in the GC] from the 2nd
group behind, and it took me a while to get to my normal self. I tried again
and dropped them. That motivated immensely, undoubtedly, admittedly though, the
surrounding scenery was a much bigger motivator.
I might be
biased a bit [yes, I truly love this Country, and never get satiated with its
eternal gorgeousness], I can’t help. It always enables to exploit all my power,
to give more, to exhaust myself more than anywhere else.
The hot day
played into my cards [I can deal with the heat pretty good]. The only bothering
thing that concerned, not only me, was the lack of water. We found the first
announced water point 10km behind the stated point; the second [and last] one
was at km 63. I was at the mercy of some tifosi, and locals. I asked kindly for
‘acqua’ and they were kind enough [they are always unbelievable supportive!] to
hand it over. As for the food, basically, I carried my 3gels, and if there was
some banana at the water point, I took it. Otherwise there is no way to deliver
a decent performance on cakes, cheese, etc. that were to be had on feed
stations.
The last part of
the stage was nothing but agonizing. I was much of the time on my own either
way, only at Km 71 I was caught by Italian Christian Fabbri [4th in
the GC] who had a hard time as well. It seemed like some 8km to go [according
to my Garmin], mainly downhill on jeep-roads. I checked with him whether that’s
the ‘ultima dicesa’.
I was assured;
yes it’s the ultimate downhill. Whoohoo – so let’s give it all in your power.
And I meant it. Obviously Christian Fabbri is a charismatic downhiller; I hoped
to keep up with him. Lo and behold, after 5km, I gained some 500m. Admittedly,
in doing so; I took perils and was at times on the verge of crashing badly.
80km done, well
no sign of the finale, neither Riolo Terme, nor any other sign of civilization.
Quite the opposite, I was once again right out of the sticks. The narrow,
off-camber beleaguered single track begun to rise, more and more, steeper and
steeper. The speed dropped significantly. It became a riding in the nowhere.
Christian caught up on me, and was, too in the unknown how many Km to go, where
we are, etc. Given my intensity, thus far and my calculation [80km] this didn’t
bode well for a good outcome. I mean, if I’m told we got to ride 200km, no big
deal, I just need to know. And suffering from clinical [exercise induced]
hypoglycemia, it’s not funny at all. I could crash in every given second, without
big forewarnings.
The path took us
deep into the mountain, and I assumed the worst: uphill [instead announced
downhill] finish with an unknown length. Kudos to Christian for comforting me
[“Ultimo chilometro…” well he said this at least on 3 occasions], however we
both knew that been merely a self-bullshitting, in the hope that the pain
lessens.
This situation
was really irritating, and this anger kept me smashing big gears. 10 uphill km’s
gone, some 8-10kph average, when finally, somewhere on the top if the hill we
spotted a tent with time taking sensors. The guy gave us a hand gesture, we
were finished – which I, frankly didn’t believe [after so many
miss-announcements, my trust is gone]. Only after seeing some ‘dead bodies’ [the
first top 7] around I was assured, yes the torture took its end. I was bluntly
cross-eyed/light headed, got blurry vision, and my blood-sugar sank down to
2.1. Those 7 poor ‘soldiers’ that finished ahead of me were about to be
re-animated and none of us was really talkative and up to nice chat.
Finally the
resentment has gone and the rejoice about the great achievement replaced all
those draining sentiments. After I regained my vision, we ‘took wings’ and
headed downhill into the civilization, to the originally spa town of the
finish, Riolo Terme. That’s been another 15km on undulating terrain and my
fellow, Silvio [2nd GC] was so down, that I almost had to watch and
take care of him, just to prevent him from any, by exhaustion caused, crash.
The God-send sunshine, massage, lovely
company, relaxed hotel and all those niceties made amends for the brutality of
the day. Most of all, though, my achievement that had me move up to 11. in the GC
and 7. in my cat. kept me cheered till I fall asleep somewhere at midnight.
Stage 7th
Ravenna – Cervia Individual Time Trial
“Ultima tappa,
ultima prove…” Ready for the rumble? Oh yes, bring it on.
We woke up to a
charming sunshine, elevated mood, high spirits – mind you, dead legs. For most
of the rider, it didn’t matter at all. The time gaps were not so significant.
So there was no such thing as one being able to make up this time gap. Above
all, though, only those rare contenders having a chance to move up in the
rankings, felt like going all out. Well, sign me up - I knew the odds were that
I could improve my position. But I also knew I must be willing cannibalize
myself to accomplish it.
The Grande
Piazza of Ravenna embraced us in full blossom look. Police escort granted via
all those tiny historically relevant places and streets. Tons of onlookers that
cheered us on, and finally we stopped for a while to make the show peak.
Broadcasters all around, hunting for interviews, in fact the half city celebrated
us and we had truly a great time – Goosebumps all over. That’s been an
amazingly nice touch and an honorable crescendo of the whole event. Thereafter,
we headed to a remote place for the start, basically next to the Adriatic see.
The tension was growing with every second count down.
The strategy was
to catch on the guy ahead of me [2 min distances] and to team up with him for
the rest of the march. I got a hate-relationship with ITT, but so be it, that’s
the last pain tenure and the show is over.
Off I was, and
much to my astonishment the legs responded pretty OK, so I kept hoping, my plan
is within reach. The surrounding scene was mind-boggling; an ancient pine forest
and 60 % of the route led us via an avenue of pine – just gorgeous, most of all
the helps to distract from the discomfort greatly. After 20min I caught up on,
and immediately overtook him. After I while I signalized that it is his turn
which he completely ignored. Neither my second hand gesture nor anything else
yielded his cooperation. So I dragged him until the very last 200m where he
outpaced me and took 2 sec. Chapeau, “Gentleman”.
A massive
elation overcame me - plainly indescribable. Needless to say, the vibe,
atmosphere in the finish area was a slice of heaven. Gone are all those
bitterness and struggling. Euphoria and excitement were all over the place.
The bottom line
meant for me 10th place in the GC and 6th place in my
category [under 40], however the highest accolades go to the absolute winner in
man’s category:
1. Joao Marinho [POR}
2. Silvio Wieltsching [AUT]
3. Tiago Silva [POR]
As well as in
the women’s category:
1. Ivonne Kraft [GER}
2. Ada Xinx [POR]
3. Michela Ton [ITA]
Summary:
Next to all of
my expectations had been exceeded. What really took me aback was the social
aspect. So many amicable and personable like-minded folks that are eternally
assisting and have always a cheerful word for you.
The divine like rural
area – that’s exactly how I saw Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. The locals and
support crew, just a big wow.
The route per se
had my jaw drop constantly. Only after quite a while did we realize the
obsession and passion of the organizer for enduro characteristic stuff. And I
truly believe this concept worked out impressively. Certainly that’s not a
one-size-fits-all type of route. But the general echo has been positive and as
far as I go, I savored those thrilling sections.
Thanks for
sharing and reading my wrap up
Until next race,
Beskydy Trophy stage race, coming up next week.
Rob
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