台灣 Team Cinelli Ritchey 車隊

break of seven

During the team pre race meeting I determined to use some energy during the flat and rolling section of the race, before the long final climb. I wanted to test my training progress. There were several attacks in the race and some breakaways, but nothing that stayed away. At the 40k mark I saw an opportunity. A slight incline. Two riders had gone off the front and were looking around for others to join. I accelerated hard out of the saddle and took the lead position with the intention of maintaining this effort for at least 2-3 minutes. More riders joined, and they too were accelerating hard. We made a gap from the main bunch! There were now six rider ahead of me, but I hadn’t accounted for the strength of the group. I dropped off the back about two meters. I was in oxygen debt! I was riding solo in the wind, trying to keep up for about 1km, but I was determined not to give up. I was able to push hard, rejoin, and pull through the paceline of seven strong riders. My quick recovery after this effort is my reward from good training. This breakaway stayed away for 40km, until halfway up the final climb. There are not many opportunities to be in a long breakaway in Taiwan races. I was glad to be with this motivated group.