Haute Route Pyrenees, stage 2.

Stage 2, on paper more suiting me with more climbing. Major issue is more descending, and timed descending! In addition I have the red jersey and have no idea what or how I ride with it. Are there rules (written or unwritten). I just tried to smile when the camera men said to and that was it until we started. It seemed like I was getting a little bit more room in the group, this was very nice. We trundled down in convoy for the first 8k then hit the start mat, I was in the first three riders and it was the most relaxed start I have experienced so far. No crazy accelerations, may be that was what I was meant to do, no idea. We poodled along for a few kilometres, I did a turn or two. Nothing major. We then hit the downhill and things hotted up. Time to switch on big time! A ten minute or so descent with long sweeping turns followed and I knew I was down on the leaders. We then had two small cat 3 climbs close together. Time to close some gaps, which we did. I was, as I seem to regularly be doing, having Sergio help me up the climbs. We got over these easy enough with four of us then descended down a pretty ropey road. I would expect some would have nailed it down there. We were rolling safely as usual!

Once on the valley we were joined by five other rider who had descended faster than us and we formed a chain gang after ten minutes of messing about with only a few people working. We knocked the k’s off nicely once we worked together. The third, but first major climb was in front of us. The group almost instantly collapsed into four of us who left the rest behind. I knew there was a load of ground to catch up ahead. A guy with no number on, so I had no idea who he was had taken up the work. He did a solid ten minutes of work. Then he asked for some help, the guy on second wheel refused and shouted “the leader works”. Great, this must be the perks of the leaders jersey! I was a little put out the way he demanded I drag him up the climb. There was still a good 8k of it to go so I was going to make it hard for him and my other guest.

As seated riding was more sore on the knee I was going to have to stand a lot, this was a good a thing as I tend to produce more power. There was also a head wind on this section, so it was very unlikely I would drop the chatty man easily. So I set into a tempo, once we turned on the next hairpin I stood and tried to make it tough for those behind. I did this may be five or six times. I get the feeling this is taking an effect so the next turn where the grade lowers down I put down a proper effort and get a gap. I just do not want to pull him along. Its a race and all! I pick off another couple of guys before the top of the climb and hit the mat. TIme is still on so I quickly grab some water at the feed and pile a few chunks of banana in my pocket for the descent. I have a good gap behind me and there is a guy 400m ahead as a guide for the corners. So I have this long descent to get down then the final climb of 9k. The ascent will take care of itself, the descent is where I need be fully focused. Luckily the descent starts fast and straight, I do not mind that too much. It is the corners where I lose time.

15k of down and I still cannot see anyone behind me, this is good news. I hit the final ascent still in the position I was in, the guy in front of me has gained a bit of time but not much. I am confident of catching him. The out rider said there was one more ahead of him. Inside 2k I catch the guy in second, I continue at a firm but not crazy pace, I have not seen the leader of the stage ahead and thats how it ended. I cross the line around two minutes behind him and that is that. Second and lost the leaders jersey by a minute.

Good fun with the red jersey. Second on a downhill stage with more prizes for leading the team event. Good day had by all. Similar stage 3 profile. more downs than ups. apologies for such a slow write up. internet has been a major issue.