Julian Dean Diary
Gent-Wevelgem
Well, no great surprise performance from me on Wednesday but the important thing was that the team had a big victory. Thor saved our arses all by himself when he took the victory in the sprint of 30 or so riders. It was an impressive win at an important time. It?s also good for the morale of the team and has definitely lifted the spirit of everyone.
Funnily enough I had two bonuses today. One is that I didn't crash. Although as always in this race, there were a few near misses. And I think that I had even more close calls than usual ?coz I was swinging on and off the back. I was absolutely shitting myself most of the day. The risks of crashing seem so much more when you are on the rivet. And that?s how it was for me today. I did have a thought today that I might make a proposal to the UCI that in these races the riders should be given danger money for having to risk so much?I might just have to start getting that proposal together?.
The other bonus I had today happened after I was dropped up the Kemmelberg the first time and riding back to the finish. I was feeling pretty miserable and sorry for myself, which was made all the worse by the thought of having to grovel the 40k to the finish in the headwind. Then, as I was trudging along, the race caravan that throws all the free stuff out came past. One of the vehicles in there was an old model T style car that was cruising along at 40km/hr as it chucked stuff out to the spectators. That was just perrrrrrfect! I jumped in behind it for the easy ride to the finish. Certainly made the ride back much more bearable - even a little fun actually. It would?ve been a long ride back without the assistance? and that would?ve made me even more of a miserable git. But there has to be a positive somewhere in the day and on Wednesday in the race I managed to find two. Wicked!!!
Next on the cards - the other big one ? 2006 Paris-Roubaix. Ouch?
Julz
