The show this year was a big success for not only the team but for rockracing. Its really nothing going on with me, just having a good time hanging at home with the FamBam and thats it. Its football season so I always like watching the games on Sundays.

But ill be back to Business pretty soon.

If anything new happens ill let you know.

 

Peace 

 

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It was fun, it was cold, it was hilly, and it was dangerous. However I came out with a new motivation for what I want to accomplish next year. I'm still pretty motivated to compete this year but there is not much going on.  Do to some cat#2 hill 9k into the last stage, I was dropped and spent 4hrs chasing the field by myself.  At times I could see the very end of the caravan but as I got closer it never failed that a climb would be right around the corner. I dug deep all the way to the feed zone where I thought I could get some sugar and some fresh bottles but when I got there my team car had just left. I was only 5-10 minutes behind. I was determined to finish the stage. As my sugar levels dropped and I’m starting to bunk and smell peach cobbler, my eyes started to pop out my head because all my glucose if gone.

 

Long story short, I got in the last car of the caravan in the last 30k of the race because I just couldn’t pedal anymore. 
These guys are not “out of my lead” as some reports has said. For me its going to take a really serious off-season on the bike and getting my injuries dealt with off the bike. I hope the team and I can agree on a tactical race schedule that would allow me to develop and adapt to doing stage races. That’s all it is….that’s all it is.

Freddie put it all in perspective for me. He said, name 3 pro’s from the states that has come over here for the first professional race and placed in the top ten let alone the top 5?
I couldn’t name anyone. So he made me feel a little more content with my 5th place result, that honestly without a doubt I could have won . I should have won.

All Bahatiracing.com Photos Courtesy of VeroImages

All Bahatiracing.com Photos Courtesy of VeroImages

its midnight here and i just paid $5.43 for 1hr of internet.

 

This is how it went. 144k stage with an adverage of 27.8 miles an hr. Two cat2 climbs and One cat 3 climb. I made it over all the climbs with the group and being the last man over the first cat2 climb that was at 17%......my back hurt.

At the end freddie and oscar helped me stay in position and with 5k to go i found myself right in the mix as the field speeded through the city at speeds over 40+. with 2k to go. There was a massive crash just in front of me that caused a lot of problems. I recovered and found Oscars wheel. With 1k to go, there was a right hand bend and his rear tire blew up and he high sided and from there my race was over.

I didn’t feel great at the end but i was going to give it a go anyways. At the time of Oscars mishap, we were about top 15.

 

I'm taking it day by day. Tomorrow is much harder longer distance and more steep climbs.

 

peace

 

oh yeah, i broke both wheels early inthe race, one that came at a bad time. The field was chasing Oscar and Daluca and if it wanst for Pena, its no way I would have made it back on. He stoped with me and we (he) chased for 15-20k full gas.

 

All Bahatiracing.com Photos Courtesy of VeroImages

well the first stage is over. And it was all I thought it would be. I have so much to say but don’t have the time to write up a nice race report.

But this is how it went down. The first lap was like a chill parade and after that the heat was on. Single file for the most part and when teams decide to chase...they really chase. I small group of 8 rolled away and we didn’t have anyone present but we just played our card for the field sprint still and with 2 to go the break came back. With 5k to go, I'm there in the mix holding Patacchi's wheel and with 1k to go, I found myself on Magnus wheel. I got swarmed and never really recovered. I thought the lead-out would be much faster and it wasn’t so holding my position was very hard to do. Anyways I tried sprinting anyways and finished 5th.

sprinting from 5th position was the key and not 10th.  Now on to tomorrow...

 

peace

1 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) LPR Brakes - Ballan
2 Rob Hayles (GBr) Great Britain
3 Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Team Garmin-Chipotle-presnted by H30
4 Dean Downing (GBr) Rapha-Condor-Recycling.co.uk
5 Rahsaan Bahati (USA) Rock Racing
6 Roger Hammond (GBr) Team Columbia

 

Its raining like crazy...

 

Britain Day #1
I’m here. Its raining, its cold, however I’m still super excited. What better way to end the season by racing some of the worlds best?
My flight over was super chill. I had more excitement at the check in booth than I did the whole flight.
FYI---if your flying on United Airlines and your check in bag is over 70 pounds it’s a whopping $350 bucks each.

Anyways, did a ride today in the rain on my new bike. Back home I was riding a size 56 which I felt was way to big giving the angles. So they got me a 53cm frame that fits like a glove. I love it!!

So tomorrow another 3 hr ride and Sunday is the big show.

Fast forward to Saturday, I woke up with a very bad sore throat and I hope its going to get better soon. So anyways we did a nice, fast 3hr ride in the Belgium like weather. Got a little more comfortable with the new bike and tomorrow is the big show.

This reporter from GQ Italy did a photo shoot and an interview with me and he said one thing that shocked the hell out of me. He said..." you are considered a possible stage winner here tomorrow, how does that make you feel"?

That’s crazy, it’s my first real race here in 3 yrs and people are saying I'm one of the guys to look out for. I’m getting butterflies just typing this.

I hope tonight my sleep will be much better and ill wake up well rested.

 

Im not going to pay the  $20 dollar internet fee everyday s, i hope the next hotel has free internet so I can keep you all updated.

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