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15th Jul 2009 Bike 4 Cancer Blog 14th - 16th July
Thursday 16th July What a scorcher! Despite only being 40km around the beautiful lake Annecy this stage had its own challenges - mainly the heat. The boys rode largely on a dedicated cycle track doing their best to avoid the holiday makers but then had to take on another 13% descent.
On the final run in back to the start / finish RG was once again stung by a wasp - this time on his ear. This afternoon RMW is enjoying the beautiful surroundings with his wife and daughter whilst RG is planning to swim. The support team had threatened to ride the course but decided against it in the heat
A truly brutal stage which tested RG to his limit, this stage is described as the toughest of 2009 - and they were not wrong. In the rain the riders had to climb over 1000m to the top of Cormet de Roselend. This was however just the start and the ride featured 4 category 1 and a category 2 climb within the 169km route. It was the category 2 Côte d'Arâches which almost spelled the end for RG as he collapsed off the bike unable to go on. After a short break and words of encouragement re getting to Paris, he continued on to be rewarded with a thoroughly enjoyable downhill into Cluses.
After an all too short descent the riders then had to tackle the Col de la Colombière back to a height of 1618m. RMW once again made light work of this climb whilst both riders enjoyed the final descent to the finish at Le Grand- Bornand where a large village fête was taking place. The Alps are now behind the team and only 1 tough stage now remains.
Leaving base camp in Chamonix the team headed over the border into Switzerland for the start of yet another tough stage. The stage started with a 40km category HC climb to the 2437m summit of the Col du Grand St Bernard - the climb was exceptionally tough and sapped the strength of both riders, although as has become the norm RMW broke away and was first to reach the Italian border just after the summit. RG battled his way up the climb despite nearly falling off after being startled by a truck in an avalanche tunnel. As RG crossed into Italy the heavens opened and put an end to any ideas of a quick descent on the newly laid tarmac. The rain did stop and was replaced by scorching heat; however the road surface was terrible as the authorities have raced to get the roads ready for le Tour. RMW's bike was being shaken to pieces and he lost his bike computer and broke a bottle cage. RG had no issues as the titanium Planet X soaked up the bumps. The second climb, a category 1, 'le petit col du St Bernard' was anything but small and RG had to stop on a few occasions to regain his composure. The view at the summit was worth the pain and having crossed the border back into France RG blasted down the 31km descent to the finish in just 25 minutes. With RMW already back in Chamonix with his wife, the rest of the team headed home through the Mount Blanc tunnel picking up two Dutch students hitching their way around Europe. For further information: |
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