I caught the train to Innsbruck on Saturday and Leonie and I drove to Lienz from there. We had entered a road cycling race on Sunday. The route is near the Lienzer Dolomites and is 112km with around 1800 m of climbing.
We headed to the start line right next to our campsite on Sunday morning. Leonie was amused and a bit worried that she had entered us in the Elite category but I thought it was just perfect. The race started at 9:30 am and I moved up to the start of the field as the race started. The first 15 km or so were flat and it wasn’t neutralised. Cyclists were everywhere, left, right, all over the road. There was erratic braking in the bunch and some very dodgy moments. I brushed the shoulder of another guy after someone braked heavily before us. The police escort helicopter buzzed above us as we followed the lead escort vehicle. It took me a while to figure out that they had closed the road. Nichts StvO.
I moved up in the bunch for the first ascent and began passing many people. My legs died a bit later and a few began to pass me again but I didn’t do too badly at holding my position. I got a good bunch and held on through the rolling hills. The course suited me well. No long steep climbs just lots of power climbs and flatter climbs. The last longer climb was around 70 km and I managed to stay at the front of the bunch. We were slowly dropping a few people. It was hot and at each of the drink stations I had been grabbing a cup of water held out to me and pouring it over my head to cool down.
We began to descend over the next kilometres until we reached the main road. I grabbed another drink from an outstretched hand and we started the last approximately 25 km to the finish line. I estimated we’d take a little under an hour as we were bashing into a head wind. Despite this though we motored along the slight decline between 40 and 50 km/h. Everyone took short turns at the front pulling the bunch along. We neared the finish line and I was near the front of the bunch. I didn’t quite get the sprint right but crossed the line near the front of the bunch. The last 500 m or so was narrow and over cobble stones.
There weren’t so many people at the finish line when I got there. I was very happy with my result. I think it’s really the case that if you get a good place at the start line you have a chance of getting a good place at the finish line.
I grabbed my camera from the campsite and waited for Leonie to finish. She did very well getting 3rd place in her category. I was pretty happy taking 23rd place in my category.
Dolomitenradrundfahrt 2018
Time: 3:13:21.8 Dst: 112km/1870m Place: 76/647 finishers Cat Place: 23/105 finishers