Pamplona Bayonna

Well first race back was a set of two criteriums in Vittoria on Saturday night, bit of a laugh realy as we found out part way through that these races are rigged and the winner is already decided before the race begins. Pretty Gay I reakon as racing should be about battling it out and the strongest or smartest wins. Any way good laugh as we had no idea about the rigged winner and my Polish Team mate who we call Vortek or "The Vortex" (Not spelt Vortek the polish spelling is incedible) went about doing what he does best and eliminating everyone in the sprint (first race was an elimination race, which means last rider across the line each lap is out) He ended up 2nd and the funny thing was he eliminated the guy who was ment to win. People wernt to impressed about this and we got a bit of an earfull for it and hounded in the points race, but we decided to be spitefull and attack them anyway. I ended up roling acros the line perhaps 6th or 7th.

Pamplona Bayonna was the big race of the weekend. A nasty 138k from Pamplon, Spain to Bayonna, France. Which meant a nasty traverse through the low Pyrinesse. Thankfully being my first race back it was downhill since we were racing out to the coast. Probley would have to describe this race as being simliar to Round the Lake Taupo race or K2 or both mixed together. I think the only flat part of the race was the carpark we rolled out of in Pamplona. I was pretty pleased with how I went being my first race after a week off. I suffered pretty bad up the climbs and the last 30k was taking its toll. Found out why when we got home as I had picked up some wire in the back tyre and was slowly loosing pressure through the whole race. Oh well.

Not sure how many started must of been at least 100, and only around 50 finished. I rolled in 44th.

I have 9 weeks left here now and at least 15 races. SO looking to make the most and I hope I can go home with some nice fast legs for the NZ summer

Josh