Embracing the gruppetto after breakaway stardom
It was an early get-up Wednesday morning to head to Bilbao. There was an option to fly Tuesday but I fancied another night at home. A month away is a long time. I figured some more time to chill out and pack after Nationals was better.
With that said I didn’t have much to pack; a full stripy kit drop was due on arrival so the suitcase was fairly empty. I made sure I got the pre-Tour trim sorted: shout out to legend barbers who’ve been supplying fresh cuts since my academy days. With the wind in my skin fade I was ready to go, very excited and motivated after Sunday’s race.
It was slightly stressful finding out the national champs kit hadn’t arrived yet – luckily it was all ready for the presentation and photos but only with around 30 minutes to spare. Fair play to Alé for such a quick turnaround. The new team bikes look especially nice – in combination with some fresh white socks and I’ll have around 5-10 watts of extra morale every time I look down.
The Basque fans were out in full force for the presentation and having two top Basque riders on the team as well made it extra special. Pello Bilbao and Mikel Landa could barely answer the questions on stage with all the chanting.
Saturday is going to be an epic first stage, not your typical Tour de France start; I expect it’ll be ridden like a oneday race. Hopefully the tough parcours will eliminate the usual high stress but saying that, it is the biggest bike race in the world. Pello is well up for the first stage on his home roads so we’re going in all guns blazing for yellow. Pello Bilbao raising his arms in the air in Bilbao would be awesome. I can’t wait to get things started.
STAGE ONE
Saturday was just as mad with the amount of fans on the climbs. It’s always nice when you’re just riding up the climb steady because you can take it in much more. There was an absolutely huge guy on the side of the road with this top off screaming. That stuck with me.
You get a whiff of alcohol and a bit of weed every now and again. With 500m to the top of the last climb you could almost smell the BO
