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15 September race
written 16 September
The hotel we stayed at had a great buffet and we ate very well at dinner and breakfast time. Unlike last year every hotel has had a buffet, so we could eat lots of the food that we wanted to. Last year we often just had a set menu which is not as good.
The criterium was at Morenuma park. There was only 1 second between the first two riders and because of bonus times it was actually possible for the first 5 riders to win the overall prize. So with this situation it was always going to be a fast race.
But I had no idea it would be that fast! Even though I had warmed up well and braced myself for the pain of riding on saddle sores I only managed to complete 5 laps before losing contact with the main group. I caught up with a succession of struggling university students and tried to make a small group but they fell behind too. I was always going to be lapped but I wanted to do my best!
Michi had caught the early train from Hakodate to see the race and I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't finish but we could watch the last few laps together.
The final average speed today was 46.3km/hr. Abe san and Kazu both managed to finish, an amazing effort. That was so much faster than last year, when the overall result was already decided. On this day it came down to the final sprint, with the short Japanese guy beating the really tall Dutch rider with skinny legs by a matter of centimetres. What a race!
So that was the end of the Tour for 2008. As a team effort, we did really well, finishing in 12th place. Everyone finished (up to the 5th stage). Kazu got some good training and Abe san had some moments of glory. As for me, the first day was really satisfying, it was a great feeling to recover from it and do well on the 3rd day but with a fairly flat course I didn't have enough speed to really make a difference or show my strength (unlike last year).
But it was a great experience and I really appreciate it. I didn't feel as exhausted as last year, either.
Stage 6 - Moerenuma Park
Stage place = 64 (-10 laps) out of 22 laps
Overall = 59/79 (+62.48)
Distance = 32.5 km
Bike time = 0hr 46min
Avg speed = 42.2 km/hr
Max speed = 62 km/hr
Avg HR = 173 BPM
Max HR = 186 BPM
> 180 BPM = 3.5 min
2008 total = 11402 km (including warmups)
tiredThe hotel we stayed at had a great buffet and we ate very well at dinner and breakfast time. Unlike last year every hotel has had a buffet, so we could eat lots of the food that we wanted to. Last year we often just had a set menu which is not as good.
The criterium was at Morenuma park. There was only 1 second between the first two riders and because of bonus times it was actually possible for the first 5 riders to win the overall prize. So with this situation it was always going to be a fast race.
But I had no idea it would be that fast! Even though I had warmed up well and braced myself for the pain of riding on saddle sores I only managed to complete 5 laps before losing contact with the main group. I caught up with a succession of struggling university students and tried to make a small group but they fell behind too. I was always going to be lapped but I wanted to do my best!
Michi had caught the early train from Hakodate to see the race and I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't finish but we could watch the last few laps together.
The final average speed today was 46.3km/hr. Abe san and Kazu both managed to finish, an amazing effort. That was so much faster than last year, when the overall result was already decided. On this day it came down to the final sprint, with the short Japanese guy beating the really tall Dutch rider with skinny legs by a matter of centimetres. What a race!
So that was the end of the Tour for 2008. As a team effort, we did really well, finishing in 12th place. Everyone finished (up to the 5th stage). Kazu got some good training and Abe san had some moments of glory. As for me, the first day was really satisfying, it was a great feeling to recover from it and do well on the 3rd day but with a fairly flat course I didn't have enough speed to really make a difference or show my strength (unlike last year).
But it was a great experience and I really appreciate it. I didn't feel as exhausted as last year, either.
Stage 6 - Moerenuma Park
Stage place = 64 (-10 laps) out of 22 laps
Overall = 59/79 (+62.48)
Distance = 32.5 km
Bike time = 0hr 46min
Avg speed = 42.2 km/hr
Max speed = 62 km/hr
Avg HR = 173 BPM
Max HR = 186 BPM
> 180 BPM = 3.5 min
2008 total = 11402 km (including warmups)
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