Back in the game, but not on my game. Thats about the best way to describe my recent attempts in the Italian one day races that go together to making up the Trittico Lombardo. Finally after nearly 6 weeks of nothing but feeling average and looking every bit as average to go along with it, i was able to make the race deciding break of Coppa Bernocchi. The break was a group of 25 or so that formed on the first notable climb of the race, some 60km in. It was formed after 3 smaller groups formed off the front and then came together. I was one of 2 from my team and the break quickly established 3 mins on the chasing peloton and from there it was always going to be decided from this group.

We raced over 5 laps of a circuit before retuning to the start finish some 50km from the top of the last KOM. Unfortunately…when i say i was not on my game, it means that my last ascent up the KOM saw me some 30secs off the back of the group, which was now forced into 3 after some tough pace setting from Aqua & Sapone. After a 20km chase to try and return to the group i finally hit another climb on the way to the finishing circuits and the lights went out…back to the peloton for me…now sitting about 5mins down.

So it was a positive…finally i got to actually be involved in a race again. Feel competitive and not just be some douche who kitted up and happened to be able to find a number and pin it on. But back to reality…not many races left in the season, so time is running out to go out on a high.

This week was full of blood tests and recovery…trying to find a fault with my body so that i have something to blame. Unfortunately…not much to report. Apart from lower than ideal iron levels, everything looks relatively normal. The iron is low for what an athlete would like it to be, but still well within the scope of what is considered normal for the average person…So back to the drawing board. Fortunately i feel that this week i have begun to see some light at the end of the tunnel. The legs are definitely starting to come around. The wrist and the body are still feeling average…but the legs have got a little spark this week that i have not felt for a while. With a little more of the correct training and stretching im hoping that my last 2 races in Italy can be successful ones. Heaven knows the 2 weeks recovery between them all has to mean i will be fresh…

Then its home time. Dates in the midst of being organised. The question is??? When October rolls around, will i be riding the Herald Sun Tour or will i be running the Melbourne marathon. Unfortunately the dates mean that only 1 will be possible…but whichever way i go, i know that i will be buckled and spending some time in bed come the end of October…be it with all kinds of leg complications because of my desire to run a marathon without training for it, or racing a 7 day tour at the end of the longest and hardest season of cycling i have known…the only good thing…it will be time in my own bed. Something that i look forward to like you wouldnt believe.

Just a finishing note…i hope that my boys kick some ass at US Pro this weekend. In particular i want to single out BJM, Zirbel and Zwizanski for the TT on Sat. Zirbel has dominated all year in the TT’s and i really have belief that this could be his year. I have been saying it since he came so close last year…i believe the self belief that it created was the thing that has lit a fire under his ass this year and has developed him into the best rider for the year so far…But good luck to them all…i hope there are no misshaps and its a fair and fast race and the best man wins…

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