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