I'll Tell You How Stage 3 Went...

(Team Optum-KBS getting ready #EXGT: Team Optum-KBS getting ready #EXGT)

After some quality recovery with my Compex Sport Elite Machine (check out @Lex_albrecht on Twitter for pictures) following Stage 2, the pistons were feeling pretty good.  Stage 3 of the Exergy Tour started with 3 km neutral out of Crouch, ID, and then Optum put out a few attacks, and covered a few more.  It was going well.  

We entered into the feed-zone at an unusually early point in the race (only 38.3 km in).  Most riders didn't even bother taking a bottle.  I had plenty of Clif Shot drink mix left in my bottles and the 10+km climb was about to begin anyways.  Nobody wants to haul around extra weight uphill for the fun of it.

A break with Optum's Janel Holcomb got away on the climb.  The field split up as we ascended, and all of the Optum riders were in the front group (execpt Janel, who was off of the front).  As we crested the top of the climb, the pace kicked up and the 5 km descent before the second climb began. 

Today, I remembered my Mavic shoes, my Thule backpack, my Lazer helmet and frame-less Lazer Magneto sunglasses, but I left my balls at home.

I got dropped on the darn curvy wet roads, and just as I clawed back to the lead group, I got dropped again as we entered into the day's final descent.  Not cool.

What is cool though is that as the lead group neared the finish line, Jade Wilcoxson launched some strong attacks against the field, keeping the pace high and the pack organized.  Carmen Small and Janel gave Leah Kirchmann a sweet lead out, and Leah just barely missed the victory, which German national champion Ina Teutenburg took home instead.  2nd place podium for Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies.  Way to deliver the goods LEAH!  And Jade is back in the top-10!

Way to go girls!

If anybody saw where those balls are at, shout me a holler.  

(P.S.: BIG ups to Canadian Ryder Hesjedal, who WON THE GIRO D'ITALIA!)

Exergy Tour Team Presentation

The 5 day, 4 stage (+1 prologue) Exergy Tour begins tomorrow, and the event was officially kicked off this evening in Boise (''boy-see'' and not ''boy-zee''), Idaho.

Since our arrival from Gatineau a couple of days ago, the organizers have taken very well care of us.  This evening was no different.  There was a pretty extravagent buffet outdoors for the presentation, and even an Exergy ice sculpture for the occasion.  It was a shame that I had already eaten, because there was smoked salmon on the menu.  I like smoked fish.

Flags of almost every country for the riders and the fans were handed out, I took one with a maple leaf on it, of course.  Riders from all around the world are here: Canada, US, Taiwan, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Switzerland, Ireland, Colombia, Italy...the list goes on.  In the streets, on TV, and even in the airport, there is media promoting the race that will be covered live for the next several days.  Even the governer of Idaho came out this evening to welcome the women to America's biggest women's stage race.

The Olympians (past and present) in the race were invited up on stage.  It's a good indication of the calibre of athletes that are going to be fighting for victory this year.  The audience got a hoot out of a few of the presentations, especially when the overseas teams were up on stage.

The organizers stressed that this women's race shall be as prestigious as the top men's tours in America, and so far they're living up to their endeavours.  I can't wait to get out on the roads in Idaho's capital with my teammates from Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies.  We're eager to race.