By Calvin Watson.
Checking in after a short mid season break.
It was time to recharge the body and mind after a crazy first half of the year that saw me start my season at Tour Down Under and finish at Criterium de Dauphine, where I managed to clock up a leg zapping 60 days of racing. There was no sun-baking on exotic beaches during my break, I preferred to return home to a chilly Melbourne winter and spend time with family and friends, something that I miss a lot while on the road. However, rest periods always seem to fly by and now it’s time to get back to the hard yakka as I set out to prepare for my next races. I’m excited to be returning to the Tour of Utah and Tour of Colorado races, knowing what I will be in for.
In a few weeks time I’ll jet over to Utah for a small training camp with fellow Trek Factory Racing rider, Frank Schleck before racing gets underway. This will give us both a chance to acclimatise to the high altitudes we will be faced with. Frank and myself have become good friends throughout the past two years and he is somebody I have learnt a huge amount from and am still learning from!
Taking a step back, I should touch on a few of my experiences from my first grand tour the Giro D’Italia. Honestly, I was extremely satisfied to arrive in Milan after 3 weeks of pain and suffering. I faced good days and experienced bad days but overall, I took a lot of positives away from it, including a new level of suffering. These experiences are part of the journey in maturing as a rider for the future years. Many of the older riders are always reminding me that getting your first grand tour under the belt will help the body and engine to mature and become stronger, with the hope of adding some extra power to the legs!
As a team we left the Giro feeling satisfied having won the red Sprinters Jersey on the back of our Italian sprinter, Giacomo Nizzolo. Unfortunately we missed a big stage win, but we had to be satisfied with two second places. Knowing that all 9 riders had committed 100% to supporting Giacomo from the get go.
As always my Turbine’s travelled alongside me, on my lap of Italy and came in extra handy during the Time Trials and Mountain stages when the body was under severe oxygen debt.
Im sure you are all following the Tour De France, isn’t it fantastic to see Tour leader Chris Froome getting behind the Turbines himself! Every increased percentage of oxygen helps at the highest level of the sport and like myself he is taking every opportunity there is to make the most of maximum gains.
Till next time, thanks for reading!
