Race day has arrived and with it brilliant blue skies. As usual by this time I have stopped worrying, as if there is anything major that I have forgotten its not good worrying 1 hour before the event.
Mauro Scalia (Liz Scalia's husband) picked me up along with two of his friends from Sicily and we headed out on the usual whacky race to get to the feed zones to find a parking spot before the horde of Swiss pit crew, who have about 10 riders in both the men's and women's races.
At the start the UK and Ireland collective of Jenn O'Connor, Liz Scalia, Melanie Spath and Sally Bigham tried to look relaxed but the usual race nerves (Or more correctly competitive sport anxiety) were ever present.
The race had a real fast start and saw a split of about 10 riders go clear after 15 minutes of racing. The group contained all the big hitters, Gunn Rita, Sabine Spitz, Pia Sundsted and others. The rolling start led to a relatively short but steep climb to the gondola at the top of a ski field, which split up the group.
Jenn and Liz battled with each other exchanging positions for the first half of the race before Jenn began to pull away slightly. Sally had a slow start but got into her stride later in the race just creeping past Mel Spath at the finish, who had to stop frequently to inflate her rear tyre that was refusing to stay inflated.
The day was very hot and I was trying my best to find shade at the feed zones, so racing must have been tough. As the leaders rode through the final feed zone the 3 minute lead that Gunn Rita had over Sabine Spitz was reduced to less than a munute and Pia Sundsted was working well with Sabine to make the catch. Jenn managed to hold her lead over Liz finishing about 19th or 20th (Not sure at this time) and riding well, with Liz 5 minutes behind and Mel and Sally crossing the line around 20 minutes later.
The big news of the day was in the finish of the mens race, as Sauser and Paulisson began the sprint finish after a gruelling 120 km in the heat, the crowds' cheering changed to gasps as they collided, bringing each other down metres from the line. Sauser picked himself up first and crossed the line with his glasses skewed and clearly dazed, Paulisson crossed the line seconds later heading straight to the commisaire and race organisation looking non too happy. I don't think either rider was badly injured, and after an official appeal the win was awarded to Roel Paulisson. And that is one Youtube clip I have to see.
As for the UK men, Nick Craig was showing no sign of aging as he rode strongly in a chasing group not far behind the leaders. Behind Nick James Ochterlony didn't look as though he was having a great day in the saddle lacking the form he showed in the Grand Canaria Marathon suffering from breathing problems, and Will Bergfelt had a puncture and a snapped chain.
Its been a great day with fantastic weather and a great atmosphere, tomorrow I am up for the 56 km race. I'll give my best shot and see how long my knee holds up, but if I do a crap ride it's because I'm way overweight not because my knee hurts. - Andy
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