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A new start: The Tom Danielson diary 2005
After his ill-fated stint with Fassa Bortolo in 2004, likable American climbing specialist Tom Danielson looks to have found a more conducive home for 2005 with Lance Armstrong's Discovery Channel team. Follow his diary on Cyclingnews as he rides alongside the Boss as part of Discovery's ProTour arsenal.
Stage 3 - April 6: Ortuella - Gasteiz, 176 km
Cow tracks & Chechu
Stage 3 here in the Basque Country was more of the same. I would actually say although today's profile looked easier then yesterday, it was harder racing. The peloton was strung out all day and you were constantly fighting for your position. We were laughing at how the peloton is probably a kilometer in length when it is strung out.
The pace was quite high, but I think the hardest thing about the race is the size of the peloton. It is almost 200 guys all fighting it out on cow paths. But for me this is great as I am doing my all to make big improvements in the peloton. Anyway, back to the stage. It started fast and finished fast. Some cross wind, small hills, tipped over tractors in the middle of the road, and a nervous peloton really took its toll. The team was all very good and in the end we saw our sprinter in the mix, Chechu! Yes, the man can not only climb, and time trial, but he can also sprint well. In training camp back in January it was Chechu who was winning our Solvang townline sprints!
Overall the team was very good today. Now we have two more days and three more stages left. Tomorrow is another one of those profiles that looks relatively calm, but I can assure you it will be very hard.
Time for massage, but check in tomorrow to hear how it goes for us.
Tom