It drizzled in a steady non-ending way so that wasn’t a great start, but the ground had dried and was only wet on the surface so it ran faster and wasn’t the slog I’d found before. The ride also worked well in reverse, actually allowing it all to be ridden when I’d had to push a couple of climbs on the first go. Definitely solid Chilterns epic to be redone.
On Sunday I rode a favourite, acting as a guide, and at a lower speed than usual. This allowed me to hit some of the tough hills fresher and in some cases faster than ever, ending up with a riverside pint.
Then there was the pro racing scene, with drama all around.
The Dauphiné came into the final day with Froome 18 seconds behind the leader Teejay Van-Garderen after a week that had ridden him into position. With a final solid attack he made up the deficit and raced to a second title in that race. He is now targeting the Tour de France and looks to be in great form.
Then there was the third round of the Downhill World Cup in Leogang. The women’s race was a moderately predictable affair with Rachel Atherton on the top step, Tahnee Seagrave in second and Ragot in third. Manon Carpenter continued her bad luck, looking to be blown off course on the final jump, crossing the tape and ending up disqualified.
The men raced to more exciting action. Loic Bruni held the hot seat for most of the day but would not hang on for the end of the day. Gee Atherton could only get to sixth, with the big excitement in the top three. Remi Thirion took crazy line to take third, behind Aussie Kona rider Connor Fearon putting in the ride of his career so far to take second. Then it was just Aaron Gwin to come down the mountain. He powered out of the gate and instantly broke his chain, so his day was surely over?
Gwin has taken the chainless crown from Neko Mulally and showed just how incredibly skilled he is, destroying the field and powering through even the pedally middle section with flow alone.
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