Winning and coming close

So a few weeks have gone by and the same old stuff is going on, training hard, racing every weekend and having a dabble in the kitchen trying to think of some new storms to cook up to keep it interesting. 

After a my last update the weather has seemed to improve a shit load over here and have been riding with no leg warmers or arm warmers which is great to get the summer glow back that I've been missing for the last few months. 

After a hard week of training after my first European win it was time for another Junior race in France which was about 100 km from memory and was pretty bloody hilly. We rode the course before hand and it was pretty hard, but maybe that was the 30+ degree day! So on with the race and it started of pretty slow so i just followed some moves and ended up in an early break which eventually got caught but luckily i have learnt my lesson from previous races and didn't blow my tit in the first few minutes of the race so i had some energy which i then had to use chasing like crazy to a break that had a minute on the bunch and was increasing fast. after about 20-30 km of chasing i finally caught the break which was eventually going to end up staying away for the race. I was pretty rooted from bridging to the break and after a few late digs to try and sneak the solo win it ended up being a bunch sprint or break sprint if that's how its meant to me worded and i rolled in for 4th.

After another week of training and the usual happenings of living in a small French town such as trying to suss  out the bargains at the supermarket and my weekly investigation of weather it’s cheaper to by fruit and veges and the supermarket or fruit and vegetable shop which i'm still undecided on so my next blog update will surely be exciting with maybe a result in this. On a cycling side it was another stunner of a week for training which consisted of a couple 120 km plus days, which was nice. On the Sunday we had our clubs host race which was a big goal for the club to win. It was a race where the senior team was also racing so I was looking forward to mixing it up with them. It was a hard course with no flat just up or down. This was good and bad for me. The good being the down, the bad being the up. Any who i made it in the break that ended up sticking for the race again so was a hard race which i wasn't feeling to flash in, I was told by the team director to work for the older boys who we had in the break so with 3 laps to go I went solo up a hill and stayed away for a lap and a bit which meant our team didn't have to work, I went as hard as i could until I got caught and then dropped but then got back on the break and in the sprint ended up 8th I think and first Junior so got a cup which was a good prize for a hard day in the office. 

This week of training i was actually quite excited about as the Tour Of Romandie was passing by which meant a ride to watch the race was in order. After an hour and a little but of hills we made it to where the race was going past so settled in there waiting patiently. As we saw the race coming up the hill we realized it wasn't actually such a good spot as Chad sat in stinging needles and i almost dropped my card down a drain a few times we ran across a paddock cycling shoes and all to get a good spot. As the race came up team Sky were on the front and Chris Sutton yells out "F****** Kiwis" pretty much made my trip out worth it as-well as seeing kiwi George Bennett racing.

Weekend just passed I had my first tour with the team which i was really looking forward too! Even the change in weather from sunny days to pissing rain couldn't stop my motivation. First stage was a road race of 110 km with a load of hills through out the course. A break went that ended up getting away and long story short i wasn't in it and bunch wasn't interested in chasing so i went on a mission to try and catch it and in the end came 16 seconds short and finished the stage in 8th or so. The accommodation for the race was awesome with food cooked for us which was a nice change from my cooking. Next day was a 10 km time trial which we had to use road bikes for but I chucked a disc on and deep front wheel which was grouse. I ended up winning the time trial by 12 seconds over the next junior. I found out I won while having a shower which I had to cut short to get to the podium which explains my seeexy hair style.  I was going into the last stage coming 2nd by 4 seconds with a steep (20%) last 2 km so the plan was keep it together and I would go give it a nudge or two in the finish. Things didn't go to plan and a break stayed away and had some high overall contenders in it so I ended up coming 5th over all. Close but no cigar I think they say?

Trying to Catch the breakaway first stage

Climb in the time trial

Shower Hair, Not a good look 

Going through one of the many towns which is so cool!!

Just a few things i thought i should add before rapping this novel up:

1. Don't leave writing a blog 3 weeks late it takes a while as I think you might be able to tell as detail is pretty low and by the end of writing this I got quite bored.

2. I kissed by first podium girl which I was so nervous about but think i got it now, watch out.

3. Give us a message on Face book if you watch Short-land Street and we can talk about how much I hate Roimata.

4. Next update will be detailed so don't worry

Thanks,

Scott