A day at the races

Yesterday I headed down to Lygon Street to watch the final stage of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour-2009 and catch a glimpse of Bradley Wiggins (Garmin-Slipstream). Wiggins started the stage in yellow, and had team-mates in second and fourth. The question wasn't so much would a Garmin rider win but which one.

The final stage was a 4.1km Circuit Race - not a Criterium. From my position on the exit of the last hotdog turn of the course, Garmin appeared to control the front of the peleton. On only two or three laps were they beaten into the corner, and even then it was only by one or two riders.

Wiggins finished ninth on the day, which was good enough for him to seal his first multi-stage race win. In addition to the GC, Garmin won the KOM and Teams classification.

TdF 2010

The course for next year's TdF has just been presented:

• Team time trial has been dropped - a good decision after this year's TTT killed the race;
• Tourmalet twice - two climbs had been rumoured, but it isn't the MTT some had thought. The summit finish on Tourmalet for stage 17 is a fitting tribute for the 100th anniversary of the first climb in 1910;
• Pyrenees - The last week is going to be awesome. Stage 15 takes in Col du Portet d'Aspet, Col des Ares, and Port des Bales, stage 16 Col de Peyresourde, Col d'Aspin, Col du Tourmalet, and Col d'Aubisque, and stage 17 finishing on Tourmalet;
• Cobbles - The route incorporates some of the cobbles of the Spring Classics.

Given the single ITT, this a route that suits the climbers. Likely to be Contador vs A Schleck.

Wrap-up of 2008-09

This time last year I set myself several goals for the year ahead (The year ahead and ... one more goal), so its assessment time. Though I didn't achieve all my goals, I am proud of those I did. Maybe more importantly, I enjoyed my year on the bike.

Goal	Progress
Complete one of the big three sportives - Maratona dles Dolomites, La Marmotte, E'Tape du Tour	Done: The Maratona dles Dolomites was one of my highlights of the year. The region is so beautiful and the event so professionally run, the Maratona is a must for all keen cyclists. Even thinking about it here in Melbourne brings a smile to my face. Related Posts : Maratona here I come, and Energy - The Maratona dles Dolomites Other Reports : Cycling Weekly : A Dolomighty fine ride, National Geographic : Italy's Cycle of Life, Cycling Challenge : Success - The 2009 Maratone dles Dolomites
Complete a UCI Golden Bike sportive	Done: Completed the Ronde van Vlaanderen in April. My only taste of cobbles ... thank god it was dry. Related Posts : Flanders and 2009 Ronde van Vlaanderen
Climb three "legend" Tour de France mountains - one must be Col du Tourmalet	Done: A week in the Pyrenees gave me the opportunity to take on several regulars of the TdF, but it my ascent of Tourmalet that I will always remember. Disappearing into the clouds was awesome. Relates Posts : Col de Peyresourde, Superbagnères, Col du Portillon, Col de Menté - Col de Portet-d'Aspet - Col des Ares, Port de Balès, Col de l'Aspin - Col du Tourmalet, Pyrenees - a summary
Complete Lac Leman in under 5 hours	Failed: My circuit of Lac Leman was much quicker than my 2008 effort, but this goal was a little too ambitious. I ended up recording a time of 5hr 13min. Related Posts : Cyclotour du Léman mk II
Attain a Silver standard time	Failed: No events I completed this year had time standards.
Cycle 5000km in the next 12 months	Done: Total ended up being approximately 5,200km.
Complete the Richmond Park 3-lap Challenge under 60 minutes	Failed: This goal was added as an after-thought, and was treated in a consistent manner during the year. I didn't really give a go, nor did I do the necessary time-trial type training. Related Posts : Laps of Richmond Park