WEDNESDAY JULY 11TH
STAGE TWO
DUNKIRK TO GHENT 168.5 km
ANOTHER Tour day and another cycling first for me as we rode into Belgium and
I experienced riding in this part of the world for the first time.
After the late ferry ride from Dover, it was a short stage today, a little
over 100 miles so we had a lie-in until 8.30 before leaving our hotel for the
start line.
And, overall, it was another successful ride for Team Thomas with the lads
riding together extremely well for the majority of the time. We averaged 27.5 km
per hour and took just over six hours to do the course. Don't get me wrong.
We're not going to be challenging the pros just yet but for our motley crew,
that was a decent effort.
A couple of the guys ~ Dave and Steve ~ managed to get themselves lost when
they stopped to swap rain jackets ~ don't ask, it's a long story and we still
have to have a team inquest into just what they were up to! But, apart from that
20 minute delay while one of the Land Rover's went off to find them, it was a
good day.
Wrightie did brilliantly today, knocking out another 100-miler and his first
back-to-back centuries and he's becoming a real cycling fanatic. In fact he
finished incredibly strongly and was keeping up with the rest of the lads no
problem.
He only has one more day left with us and he's already talking about wanting
to do the whole Tour next season! I've got to say, he'll be welcome on Team
Thomas any time with the way he's kept us amused with his antics over the last
few stages. We'll miss him when he heads home. I'll dedicate another diary entry
to fill you in on everything Ian has been up to!
As for today, suffice it to say he was distinctly unimpressed when we ended
the ride as we entered the beautiful Belgian city of Ghent. Yesterday, in
Canterbury, he had been so far behind everyone else that we all gave him a huge
ovation when he came in 15 minutes after the rest of us. There were also TV
cameras and journalists there to interview him.
This time he was with us when we did our usual Team Thomas Tour stage finish.
We got into the city and, just as the traffic started getting a bit too busy, we
checked on our speedos to make sure we had ridden far enough, Peter Slater
shouted - That'll do it - and we pulled into a lay-by with our support vehicles.
I think Wrightie was expecting a big finishing line and local celebs to welcome
him in and looked really bemused when we just dismounted and threw our bikes in
the van!
As I say, Wrightie has been fantastic with us and he did yet more media
interviews today, including a long one with his radio station Talk Sport. In no
time at all he's become a true member of Team Thomas.
People ask me how this Tour compares with the first time we did it in 2005
and, from my point of view, I feel better prepared and more equipped for the
challenge this year not that I am taking the Tour or the mountains which come up
later this week for granted because I still know how hard it is going to be.
But there are also more riders this time and we are of more similar standard
so that makes riding as a team easier and more efficient.
As for today, while the pros had the luxury of riding on flat, fast Belgian
roads, we used the excellent cycle path network that runs throughout this
country but which, I have to say, can be a bit bumpy to say the least. That
wasn't particularly enjoyable but, thanks to our matching team kit supplied by
the guys at Impsport, we all looked pretty impressive as we steamed along with
all our logoed kit on.
And, apart from a couple of cold rain showers, the weather was relatively
kind so I'm happy tonight to be another 100 miles closer our goal.
I'm also feeling in a lot better shape than I was two years ago. I think part
of that is because we use compression recovery shorts and shirts ~ like the
stuff recommended to avoid DVT on long-haul flights. My legs have felt a lot
fresher every day as a result of using that and I will need that tomorrow.
It's the longest stage of the Tour 236.5 km back into France and I feel it's
going to be a long one.
