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Wrenchin' in the USA: The Chris Davidson diary 2005
Chris Davidson is a mechanic for Shimano Multi-Service doing neutral tech support at road and mountain bike races..
Chris' diary entries show us what life is like inside the pits and give an insight into the mind of a mechanic.
Giro della Toscana - Italy, September 13-18, 2005
Here comes the rain
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Well, the fair weather of Tuscany finally gave way today to some rain; it started about two-thirds of the way through today's stage. I have had some late nights after stages so far, but tonight I was working in the rain to get stuff done. Tonight in addition to getting the bikes ready for tomorrow's last stage, I had to do some extra packing for some post-race travel. Most of our girls are flying to Madrid or home on Monday, a few are leaving through other means tomorrow, and finally I am driving the box truck directly to Madrid with my swannee, Gary. We leave tomorrow just after the stage and hope to get to Madrid before the sun goes down on Monday. It will be a long 48 hours.
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The stage today was interesting, a cool circuit with and extra hard climb only on the last lap. Our girls rode awesome today, all in the front group. The rain started late in the race and made the last hour ugly. The final climb held and even scarier descent, I saw a couple of girls scrambling back up to the road after going off in the rain on the descent. Bikes were filthy as expected.
The UCI vampires were in our hotel last morning; they did not test our team but did test the Italian team staying here.
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Tonight, I packed Kristen Armstrong and Christine Thorburn's time trial bikes to fly to Madrid on Monday. I have high hopes that both will medal in the TT, some I took some extra time to ensure that the frames will survive the airline travel unscathed. We are keeping all the TT wheels on the truck for the trip. We are also taking Amber Neben's bikes with us, as she is here in our hotel racing the Giro for her trade team, Buitenpoort.
I think that the field will be reduced tomorrow, as most people are thinking about World's now. I am looking forward to getting to Madrid and hooking back up with my mate, Ken Whelpdale. The schedule in Madrid is a little more relaxed, TT on Wednesday and RR on Saturday for the women.
I am stuffed, heading to bed. Last stage tomorrow, then a long drive. More when I get to Spain. Ciao-
Chris Davidson
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Chris Davidson
- A couple of soigneurs hanging out in the back of my truck making some sandwiches for the caravan car. Big ones. Patrick (Buitenpoort) supervises Gary (USA).
- Another stage start, another 300 year-old church. Must be Italy.
- FIR is the official neutral wheel support provider here at the Giro.
