Tim Gudsell

Hi Folks,

Well I’m happy to say I survived to live another day here in Poland, I’ll be honest though there were times I thought I was on my way home.

From the gun we started climbing and from there on in there was hardly a meter of flat road. After two nasty climbs we arrived at the days circuit of 25km that we had to do 4 times. Which consisted of 2 climbs and 2 descents, it felt like it could have been a real World Champs circuit. Along with the Polish crowd, which I can’t speak highly enough of. They have been packed along the road side everyday rain, hail, or sunshine cheering us on. I don’t agree with everything the UCI do as an organisation, but I really do like the efforts of taking the Pro Tour away from central Europe. It can only help a sport that has been so battered in past years to grow stronger again.

Bike racing confronts one with a lot decisions to make and often with not a lot of time to think about them. Yesterday I had one of those decisions to make, after losing contact on the 2nd cat1 climb of the day not wanting to red line the heart too much too early. I found myself hurtling down a dodgy little one lane road at 80kph amongst the team cars, which take just as many risks as we do. As sand and grit from the road battered me in the face, and pot holes and bumps nearly sent the rider in front of me over his handlebars, I looked down to see my drink bottle bouncing out of the cage. I thought to myself “risk life and limb by taking a hand off the bars to keep the biddon” or “go thirsty for a few k’s and continue to hang on for dear life” Hmmmm. Hang on for dear life! And sure enough 15km later and I had more fluid than one could ever need, as I loaded my jersey with biddons from the team car to take up to my team mates.

Today, hopefully we will have a slightly quieter ride to the finish in Krakow where there’s a 99% chance of a bunch sprint. World Champion Alessandro Ballan still leads the race showing some impressive form in the mountains, and with his Lampre team who never say die when defending a jersey he will almost surely take home the victory.

With a 3pm start, all organised for the live TV coverage here we have a bit of time to relax before the stage, though I must go now as it’s time for a little extra rice and coffee before donning the chammy and onto the bus to the start.

Will let you know how I get on and where to from here soon.

Cheers

Tim