Rund um Koln
Yesterday was Tour of Cologne, in Germany. 200km on a rolling course - perfect for me. I don’t think that the German’s really understand the whole concept of a “neutral zone”. 50-55 km/h in the “neutral zone” doesn’t seem too “neutral” to me. So then the race starts… A break got away in the first 10 or 15 km but there were a few of the strongest teams, including Milram, looking ready to bring it back - It never came back. So I, along with Zabel, Pettachi, O’Grady all missed the boat. To add to a wonderful day, it was raining all day and I nearly froze my ass off, getting so cold, I had troubles keeping my bike going in a straight line, but it doesn’t end there. After the main bunch gave up chasing and started riding easy, after we were told that our group was going to pulled from the race, I discovered that something was broken on my bike and I needed to change bikes. When I stopped for the bike change, the last vehicle in the caravan went pass me. As I was riding back up to the group there was a motor cycle, that I sat behind for about 50 meters - just playing around. Who cares right? We’re going to pulled from the race any way. As I was riding through the caravan, back up to the bunch, the commisaire comes up to me and tells me that I’m out of the race. I was behind the last caravan vehicle, so I’m out - plus I was behind that motor bike, so no discussion, I’m out and I’m not allowed to go back to the bunch. What kind of idiot disqualifies a rider that is going to be pulled from the race any way? Apparently, one that has a grudge against our director. Wow!