A month ago I remember talking to K-Fed and saying how the early break doesn’t stick to the finish enough. “I want to be in the break that sticks to the finish.” Well today was my second time this year that it happened, and it’s only March!

Since I last blogged I have had an unreal block of time in Girona. A few weeks without racing meant I trained my ass off, enjoyed the warm sunshine, and made the most of the time with Shani before she heads back to Canada. (She’s on a plane right now) It was really great, we could easily get used to the lifestyle, the good weather and the good food!

A few days ago the racing started again at Handzame in Belgium. I did a quick one night trip north, got in the all day breakaway, (which was the hardest breakaway effort I’ve ever done), got caught 10 km from the finish line, and flew back to Girona that night, very tired. All in all I’d say it was a great trip. Nice weather in Belgium in March and a good safe race, I can’t complain.

After that it was 2 days off in Girona before heading to Italy last night. Today was stage 1 of the Coppi Bartali stage race here on the Adriatic sea.

I actually wasn’t sure about going on the attack today, but Mike, (our new director) talked me into it, and I’m glad he did, because it was an excellent break, and I had a shot at the win. A group of 8 guys came up to us on the last lap, and we had a dozen sprinting for the win just a few of seconds ahead of the charging peloton. I don’t know what to say about the finish, I was 5th, so can’t complain too much, but I wanted to win. Simple as that.

It is really nice to be in the mix consistently this year, I am feeling more comfortable in Europe, and the team morale in general is high. I think the next few days of racing will be great. 

Tomorrow is a double day, hard mountain road stage early in the morning, and a team time trial in the afternoon. So right now, it’s time for bed!

The calm before the storm. Here we are hanging on the start line.

Breakaway action.