I was standing about 100m for the crest of the final climb of the lap.
The winner Musseuw, was not really popular. He did not pull his weight in the break really, and made/let Gianetti do all the work towards the end. Good tactical ride, but no one was pleased when he one. The Itaians I was standing near were yelling for Gianetti, appreciating has quality ride. Cant really give enough praise for Camezind either, great work in the break all afternoon. There seemed to be respect for Musseuw's win, but no one was really excited. Much more attention on Gianetti of course, being a home boy.
The Italians suffered from being perceved as the strongest team. No one really wanted to help then in a break, they were expected to do all the work. Tafi put in a couple of storming laps at the end, this guy is strong. About the only guy to climb the final hill in the saddle.
My strongest memory is of the final laps. The chase group came screaming up the hill, with Chiapucci and Bugno leading. These guys were absolutely flying, they must have been doing at least 35km/h. Really stuff to stir the spirit. Chiapucci is a very elegant rider, much more so than it seems on the television. Bugno was really eyeballs out, bike going from side to side, strain evident in his arms. I guess this was the springboard for Tafi.
All in all a good day, a long tiring day but a good day. You really dont get an impression of just how good these guys are from the TV.
Cant see too many Italian jerseys, perhaps they missed to cut? The pace is pretty moderate now, no one is really digging in, just working together up the hiill. Woops Barbara Heeb is moving away, attacking up the steepest portion of the hill. Looking very good, she has about 25m and the next couple of riders who are moving off the front. ABout half the group has strngout in chase, the other half trying to survive.
Heeb is away with one other girl just come up to her. They have about 30m. Sorry I dont recognise the - Polikeviciu - the Russian *(I think) is the other rider. They are working well together but the gap is still quite small. Another up hill section and the gap is growing. It is a long way from how yet, especially with a group of only two. Another attack from the main group which seems to have split in two. Only about 8 riders stayed with the pace up the hill, they are very strung out, and the gap is now growing rapidly. Long fat descent, nice in the greasy rain we are having.
The riders are showing a lot of caution on corners, there seems to be quite a lot of orad markings, and just enough rain to make it really slippery, not enough to make it clean. Temperature wise it is quite moderate today.
Commercial break -> breakfast and get that coffee going.
OK, a third rider has bridged up to Heeb, looks to be Canadian but I dont think it is Hughes. Longo again at the head of the chase group, pushing hard, time gap 22 to the Logngo chasing group 45 to the next split. Canadian rider is Jackson. The three leaders are working well together, they are certainly serious about staying away. In the twisting parts of the course the weather is definitly against large group chasing, bu there are lots of sections where the larger group can work. UP the climb again, time is now 18 and 43. Heeb is driving the leaders, looking sold but working quite hard, Polikeviciu is staying with her easily, not working quite as hard I believe, Jackson is really working to stay on.
Polikeviciu takes the lead and looks back over her shoulder at Jackson, who has yet to do a turn. Another look back from the russian, I think perhps she is trying to make a point. The gap is now 28, growing quickly up th eclimb. The group of nine behind is still strung out, so they are working. Heeb and Polikeviciu have dropped Jackson on the climb, a quick word between the workers and away they went. Guess they did not like the baggage. Behind the second group of nine the race is pretty shattered, riders coming through is ones and twos.
Heeb has just invited Jackson to do a turn, and Jackson of course attacks, she has 20 metres. Classy effort NOT. Heeb is with Jackson but Polikeviciu seems to have cracked! Longo still leading the chase. Polikeviciu is back with the leaders, ahhh, I think they are saying a wheel change, lets see gap now 34, still going away. I think Longo needs some help here. There seems to be a couple of Italians in the chase group near the front.
Jackson again sitting on the tail after attacking a rider having a wheel change. Couple of other riders, one Italian are taking turns at the front, but now Longo has come through again. The gap is 28 again, the chase group is bringing them back each time on the descent and level parts, but losing on the hills. Back to the climb. OK a group of four has gone off the chase group, including Longo and Chiappa, I think. Jackson again having a lot of trouble on the climb, after not working much on the last lap. Longo et al back in the group, gap at 42 half way up the climb. Jackson is off the back again, about 10m this time. Heeb and Polikeviciu working very well together. Jackson makes it back at the top of the first section of climb. Note for US readers, Heeb on a Serrota. This section of course seems more moderate, the gap is now 53 seconds. These three are certainly getting a good gap. Very steep section here, Jackson wheel sucking for all she is worth. Couple of riders blocking, a Russian and a US rider by the looks of it.
The pace has really gone off the chase group, Longo leading, but not a lot of urgency. Three Italians, a Russian, Cappelotto is now riding hard, but the Russian girl is on her wheel. Jackson doing a turn on the descent, almost takes out the rails, Polikeviciu intelligently gives her plenty of room. Jackson decides that is enough of a turn and drops to the back.
Two riders off the chase group, Capelotto is one I believe. Luperini is shown off the back. Chase group, Heeb leading Polikeviciu and Jackson on the back. Now Polikeviciu leading Jacson and Heeb. Jackson is signalled through and the pace drops as she sits up.
Another advert. I think Jackson is going to find herslf attacked at every opportunity.
Capelotto and another rider have just been caught by the rest of the chase. Gap is 38 seconds, on the back, flatter part of the course. A bit of fiddling in the chase group. The lead three are back on the bottom of the climb. The climb is quite long and seems to have a couple of false flats, and a wide variation in gradient.
The third group has caught the second, swelling the chasing group to about 12 riders. Back to the leaders, still three together, Jackson on the back. Polikeviciu and Heeb taking it a bit more moderately this time. Ooops there goes Jackson again. Polikeviciu sprinted out of the middle of the group, taking the lead and leaving a gap Jackson could not close, very nice.
Longo and Capelotto driving the chase again, splitting it on the climb, down to seven, folowed by two who should get back, then one then two then... Heeb and Polikeviciu are riding steadliy, Jackson is coming back, and joins them again. The road must be very slippery as they are slowing right down even for some fairly broad corners.
Man on a motor bike says 40 seconds. I think Jackson has got the idea, she is doing a few turns now, the other two still working very well together, Polikeviciu and Heeb now having a little talk, and sprinting away from Jackson again. I think they are still not happy.
Longo half way back the chase group talking to someone. Capellotto has taken over the drivers role. One little Italian rubber banding on the back of the group. Another group of 5 in group 3, they seem to want to get back in. Lead group on the climb, Jackson in the accustomed place. Group three is 2.10 down, I think their race is run, many points to them for continuing the chase, FORZA.
Jackson has dropped off at the very bottom of the climb, tries to get back but the other two see their chance and pick up the pace. Marks to Jackson she is diggin deep, but I think there is too much climb to go, she is 20m down already. Polikeviciu and Heeb taking turns, now Heeb moves away a bit, she has done the Lions share of the work and is looking good. Jackson now 40m down and really struggling. The other two are honking solidly up the climb, Jackson is out of the saddle then back in trying to get it going.
Camera is staying with the leaders, Jackson well back now, trying to get back though, gap is 18 seconds. I will be impressed if she gets back, the two leaders are very smooth together, taking turns efficiently. Times leaders to Jackson 18, chase group 1.20. With only an hour to go (I think) it could be a case of can Jackson stay away?
Heeb is putting in big turns, I hope she is not compromising her finish. The locals are in good voice, and the cow bells are ringing. Chase group is 11 riders, they seem to be off the boil a bit, unlike my coffee - hold on.
Back to the leaders on the bottom of the climb. Heeb looking a little tired, Jackson has come back a lot, about 25m down at the foot of the climb. Heeb making all the pace up the climb. Hat is off to Jackson, she seems to be holding on, if she can stay with them up the climb she may get back on. Heeb still making pace up the climb, Polikeviciu looks more comfortable up the climb. The locals are appreciating Jacksons ride, giving her plenty of encouragement. Longo and a US rider leading the chase group up the climb, neither looking too good.
Heeb again leading up the climb, she is going to have to let Polikeviciu do some work, or is that make?
Back to the chase and an Italian is stringing them out. Looks like the pace is lifting again, some of the riders are getting serious. If they work together there is plenty of time left. Capelotto away again, but again a Russian rider on her tail. Jackson is 28 seconds down, I think she needed to be on terms at the foot of the climb, because I think she may have blown now - dont we all know that feeling.
Capelotto making a big break, the other Russian is glued to her. Another two behind them, then a solo, then Longo with another rider, then bits. Serious blown riders now, this could be the final sorting.
Heeb and Polikeviciu really putting it in now, the pace has got really serious, they are moving down the descent at a good clip, pedelling on all the bits they can. Coming through the streets of Lugano now. Jackson still has some steam left, she is out of the saddle as she exits each corner, getting every last bit out.
(If you can live on coffee and chocolate, Switzerland is a cheap place to live)
Jackson has made it back on - at the foot of the climb the next time, there goes the elastic again, she is about 5m down and slowly losing ground. Coming back now. The other two must be worried about what Jackson can do in a final sprint as she has made up big ground on the flats. Up the climb with Polikeviciu and Heeb side by side - and there they go again, Jackson going backwards badly. Capelotto leading a group of about 6 up the lower parts of the climb.
Polikeviciu is definitely looking better up the climb than Heeb. Onto the descent, Heeb really puffing, she looks about toasted, Polikeviciu looking good. Jackson, with ear piece to talk to caoch coming back a bit. Capelotto group down to about 4 now, she must be hammering, waiting for a time split on that. Another shot of Heeb and Polikeviciu, both looking like they are trying now, coming up the final parts of the climb. Jackson still has them in sight, perhaps 50m down and looking OK. I think perhaps Jackson is saving herself a little on the climb, still only about 20 seconds down. Heeb has her mouth wide open sucking in air, Jackson is putting the hammer down on the level ground, looking very strong. I think Heeb and Polikeviciu are going to have to put big time into Jackson the final time up the climb to be safe. These two little climbers just cant stay away on the descent.
Heeb and Polikeviciu having a little chat on the descent as they recover, Jackson is a ways back but clearly catching them, she is a good rolleur, very fluid and strong looking. Polikeviciu seems the weakest on the flat, she will I think have to be decisive on the final climb. Jackson only 11 down.
Prediction time, Polikeviciu goes away up the final climb for the win, Heeb cracks a bit, is caught and dropped by Jackson on the descent and lead in to the finish. Not sure where Capelotto is, but I think these three leaders will fight it out. If Heeb stays with Polikeviciu up the final climb I think she will take it.
Linda Jackson looking very focussed, very strong on the bottom of the course. Good looking rider.
Longo has caught the Capelotto group, as has Marsal and a few others, I think they have lost the chance to catch the leaders. Jackson is back on the tail of Polikeviciu and Heeb, just near the foot of the climb she is about 10m down. Much looking over the shoulders from Polikeviciu and Heeb. OK she is back on, sitting up a bit. There is a bit more level ground before the climb, here we go, up the climb. Jackson first out of the saddle, Heeb last. Heeb leading from Polikeviciu. The pace is noticably slower than earlier laps. Heeb looking very intense at the front, riding steady in the saddle, Polikeviciu honking. Now Polikeviciu and Heeb honking away from Jackson. It is a matter of how much time they can gain. The sun has come out!, pretty view out across the valley to the lake. Jackson still there, Polikeviciu turning a much higher cadence than Heeb. Heeb is in and out of the saddle, looking like the legs are giving up a bit, although she is keeping a good pace. Only 8 seconds gap half way up the climb. Through a false flat then Heeb puts in a bit of a tester, carryin git on now and moving away from Polikeviciu. YES thats it she is away, gritting her teeth and sprinting awwy up that climb, she has shattered Polikeviciu dropping her for about 30m immediately. Classic attack from Heeb, and she is giving it everything on the now drying descent. Out of the saddle as she leaves a corner she is making a very good pace along the level ground. This is the style of a classic win in the making. Polikeviciu chasing, but wihtout the fire of Heeb, Jackson again looking strong now that she is off the mountain. If this is the final lap, then Heeb must have it - is this the next Longo. Heeb has done more work than the others, then blsted away up the climb. Back onto the wet roads at the bottom of the mountain.
Polikeviciu is looking a little worn, out of the saddle as she leaves the corners but without any real increase in speed. Heeb is looking to be tiring, the legs are getting heavy as she goes under the 1 km banner. Polikeviciu is trying to came back but there is not much time, Jackson seems to have lost too much time on the final climb.
Heeb fighting that fatigue, but the smile is there, A HOME WIN FOR THE SWISS! Here she comes down the final few metres with plenty of time. Sprints a bit looks over her shoulder and then sits up to take the applause. Polikeviciu comes in 16 seconds down and Jackson comes in at 36, looking like her legs are screaming with pain.
AND THE CROWD GOES WILD! Screams and yells around Heeb as she tries to take off her gloves.
Sprint for fourth, and a US rider takes it in a group of about 5 containing Capelotto.
Nice slow motion shot of Heeb realising she has it about 10m from the line, putting her hands on her face then arms wide saluting the crowd.
Well this has been a truely great race, classic action and a great move from Heeb to make the win. Lets hope the other events are run as well. Good ride from Jackson to get back up there and then hang on for third. Many others would have given up and dropped back. Three deserving place getters in a classic event.
Chase group of three, Italian, Swiss and another. Yep, the Italians seem to be starting to take turns attacking the Colombian. One away then another. At this point you must think, what do I do. Poor bugger has very little chance. His main hope I guess is that enough stuffing around will let the next group come up. Although 4 Italians and one each from three other countries is not that much better. Ok two of the Italians up the road, leaving the Colombian with one other Italian. Coming up the Swiss and two others only 22 seconds back. Could still come back together. Mind you it is still only a minute back to quite a large group, many teams there not represented, they will have to move soon though.
Well the poor little Colombian. Not only did all three Italians leave him, but now a fourth one has moved up and then left him. This gives us four Italians away, followed by a Colombian. Here we go, a team time trial, things look good for the future of Italian cycling.
One of the Italians has dropped off on the climb, but then regained. The swiss rider is within sight of the following cars of the Italians. Up the long climb the Italians seem to have decidied to sort it out, two of them have hurled off up the road, now only one, he has a team mate about 30m behind, then another 10m further down. Two riders, one Swiss coming up the hill 45 down, they may be out of it, dont know where the Colombian is.
Big difference in the way they are taking corners now that it is dry, these guys are really leaning the bike and flying through the corners. The second Italian has rejoined he first, they are again together working towards the finish, 1km to go and the foxing has started, all down to the sprint. One is Sironi I think, not sure of the other. Round the final bend and they are almost stopped, bit of pace going on. Not far but they are barely going, here they go, yep Italian one two, three four. big sprint for third, one rider leads out, but the other comes around him. the Swiss rider settles for sixth, with the Colombian comning seventh at 1 minute.
Serious Italian domination!