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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.
pre-World Championships - Spain, September 19, 2005
Italy to Spain via France at 100km/h
Day Seven at the Giro di Toscana: Florence, Genova, Monte Carlo, Nice, Marseille, Perpignan, Barcelona, and finally Madrid.
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Greetings Cyclingnews readers! Chris Davidson on the new race scene in Madrid. No update last night as the end of the last stage meant a quick trip to the next venue. Not exactly correct, but close enough.
The last day of the Giro della Toscana started under the cloudy skies seen the day before, but the rain had subsided. I had washed the bikes the previous evening, but it was dark by the time I had finished, so I put the bikes in the truck for the night. Come morning the chains on the bikes were bright orange with a little rust. A quick lube and the drivetrains were in working order again. We started the stage on a small town square on the outskirts of Florence, then did 7 loops, then headed into the city to finish on a plaza in the old part of town. Some of the riders brought me a gelato before the start of the stage - for the race occasion the gelato shop on the square was open on a Sunday morning. This was a great way to start the race morning.
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The racing though the loops was uneventful, yet fast. The jets went to full as we left the circuits and headed into the city. The final 5km was on very narrow stone streets in the heart of Florence. I couldn't believe how narrow some sections were [see photos]. All our girls finished in the front group and were happy to be done with this rather hard stage race. As soon as we got to the finish area, we packed bikes and the truck, then Gary and I said goodbye to the riders and hit the road. Just under 20 hours later we pulled into Madrid and I got to work on the next set of tasks.
It's now midnight on the second day since I woke before the final stage of the Giro. Time flies when you have things to do. I have always wanted to see the south of France and the Spanish coast, but not all in one pass at greater than 100km/h. I'll have to come back again another time and take it in more slowly. The next race is a big one - worlds - so the truck and rider equipment needed to boogy, as there was training to get to in Madrid today.
Tomorrow there is official TT practice on the race course; this means full course closure for rider safety. I'm going to the course with our three girls [Amber, Kristen and Christine] and the two U23 men riders. Bobby Julich is the only US male elite rider, but his bike is arriving tomorrow at the course by other means. Then final prep tomorrow night for the TT on Wednesday. The US female riders are going really well right now, so I think that Wednesday will be a good day for us. I'll let you know how the 'practice' goes tomorrow.
Thanks
Chris Davidson
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Chris Davidson
- The finish square in Florence
- The huge arch that the riders came through to finish the race in the old part of Florence
- This street was at about 1.5km to go and they raced down it at 50km/h+. Super narrow and dicey!
