So with freshish legs we set off on the laxy 20-25 kms down to the base of Marmolada. I was in the front group with Trols and a few others, but I couldnt keep up, found my spot behind the dutch marathon runner guy Klaus and felt pretty strong up the climb. Managed to complete it in 1 hr 8mins – thats a little better than race day !! A whole 55mins better.
Back to hotel at top pace. 50kms ridden and shattered. Lunch pasta, pizza and coke from our fav resturant. Then back to hotel to watch the mountain Time Trail on tv. Jens again did well – finishing 11th I think on a climb that looked very steep toward the end. So in the buss and off to the town where Team CSC were staying. Great dinner in their hotel, chat to mechanics in the Team van and walk through their bus and ect.
Sat down to dinner and the riders come down 1 by 1. Each time we cheer them. None quite as loud as for Jens. Great dinner and then Q&A session with Kim Anderson and the riders. I asked the riders how hard stage 15 was and they all agreed it was one of the hardest days racing they had done – That made me feel a little better about my 10 hour epic. Photo and autograph with Jens and back in the buss to Arabba
