Chillin in Italy
Life July 20th, 2008…on rest day number 2. I’d way rather be asleep right now, but for some reason, despite having no desire in the world other than to be not thinking of anything, a bit of a snore going on, I can’t sleep. Ryder’s in the same boat, and put it well with the first words out of his mouth this morning: “I hate falling off my bike.” Well said. Friggin sucks. You roll just a bit wrong in bed and are quickly reminded that pavement and an unprotected body don’t really get along. It was almost comical watching this crash happen - and I really hope it was captured on cameras somewhere, cause it was a good un. We joked afterwards that it’s all the directors’ faults for telling us to ride together all the time. Fortunately none of us are really hurt, just banged up a bit and thank god we have the rest day to recover a bit before attacking the two stages ahead.
The past week has flown by and it’s hard to believe we only have one more to go, wait, only? Hmm… Yeah. With some of the hardest stages yet to come it’ll be an interesting one. The top 6 are all so close and without the Saunier-Duval circus around to blow things apart in the mountains it wouldn’t be surprising if the final weren’t decided until Saturday’s TT. For now however a day to enjoy: an early breakfast, 3 hour cruise, lunch, massage, nap, some time with Kevin Reichlin and his laaaser to zap the wounds, dinner, and sleep. Then back at it manana. This time next week vacation will be on…
July 21st, 2008 at 1:30 am
You guys are doing awesome, Will. I’m rooting for you all. Keep taking full advantage of every opportunity, man! Every year will be different… leave it all on the road!
July 21st, 2008 at 6:49 am
Yeah. The fall on the roundabout was captured on film. No doubt it will feature on the tour highlight reel. It was so very strange that it happened on both sides. Glad you guys are OK. Looked messy but survivable. Pereiro’s, on the other hand looked like it sucked big time. Feel bad, he must feel that he has a lot to prove considering how the ‘06 Tour panned out.
Now on to more important matters… about that wine on the Garmin-Chipotle site. You and J.V. holding on to it or you gonna open her up sometime during the Tour? The food-porn aficionado in me would appreciate a blow by blow description (especially if there is a food that screams to accompany it… that’s always kind of a thrill for me when I go to a tasting). Danke and have fun storming the castle!
July 21st, 2008 at 8:26 am
Hi Will - I met you a few years ago when I visited your teammate Chad in Boulder; I am in Europe for the summer and saw the race go through Cuneo yesterday and will ride Bonnette to see you guys pass by tmrw. I am thrilled to see you are racing the Tour! That’s so incredible!!! I wish you and your team the best of luck! I will be cheering for you tmrw
- Diana
July 21st, 2008 at 8:58 am
It was indeed a bit of a tense moment among the crowd I was watching the stage with. And, wow, I’m so glad all the G/C guys are okay.
Great riding, Will, and thanks to you and the whole G/C team for making this Tour such a fun one to follow.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:10 am
Hey, hope ya’ll’s rest day went by nicely (I mean, how much rest is it?) and ya’ll are ready to go for the rest of the week……you guys are really exciting during the tour this year, so keep it up! And no more crashes! (like you planned that or something haha)
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:08 am
WILL - so proud of you and I am simply in awe of your stamina to get through all this; what a well deserved rest!! Good luck in these upcoming climbs and slap your Dad on the back for me when you see him. Dennis
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 pm
THANKS for all your great stage diary entries at velonews! (You always get them posted so quickly!) I enjoy your insight and your writing style.
Good luck on the monsters tomorrow! You rock!