Hey Folks,

Welcome back to the circus of Grand Tours!  It’s been over a year since I have embarked on one of these adventures, though I have made it through one Giro already, this time round will be a different experience.  After only getting the call up 5days ago and still just in the building stages of my form, I will be taking it day by day.

Today kicked off with a 4.8km hit out around the Assen GP circuit in Holland.  What looked to be a very simple exercise, proved to be a lot more difficult as the wind gusted and strom clouds keep rolling over making the circuit quite treacherous for some.

It was a very cool sight though, its not often you start a time trial in front of a packed grand stand where the Dutch crowd held strong in testing conditions.  I was lucky to have the rain pass before I hit the track, though I was left to ride though a small lake.  I was fairly happy with how the legs felt but really didn’t want to take too many risks.  To be honest I think I would have looked like a full on hubbard taking some of those corners, but hey I really have tasted the tarmac enough already this year.

If any of you had the pleasure of watching Gent Wevelgem this year, scope in tomorrow because I think you will be in for some good action.  The forecast is the same as today, and with some small Dutch roads, and a few cobbles thrown in the mix there could be some GC contenders asking themselves is this really the Tour of Spain or a northern classic?

Ok well it’s time for me to climb into bed and get in a good kip before we really start battle tomorrow.  I will do my best to keep you all posted, and hope you enjoy reading.  Plus feel free to drop me a line too, I love getting your comments and am always open to questions if there’s things you want to know.

Back soon,

Tim

ps. check out the following link, an article from cyclingnews http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gudsell-to-the-vuelta-hopes-for-end-of-troubles