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2003 Giro d'Italia rider journals
Scott Sunderland
Index to all entries
Nationality: Australian
Team: Team fakta-Pata Chips
Scott Sunderland is riding his first three week tour since his infamous crash in the 1998 Amstel Gold Race, a feat that he didn't think was possible ever again. The determined and experienced Aussie will be one of the leaders of the Danish fakta team, which boasts riders like Magnus Bäckstedt, Frank Høj, Jørgen Bo Petersen and Kurt Asle-Arvesen.
Stage 10 - May 20: Montecatini-Faenza, 211 km
Victory for fakta-Pata Chips!
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Today we could celebrate our first stage victory in the Giro, with Kurt Asle Arvesen winning the 10th stage. It was his biggest victory of his career and he rode an unreal race. It was just his day.
It started off looking like a bit of a dreary day with the rain, which poured down yesterday evening. The forecast was rain everywhere, but we only got a few sprinkles in the first 50km and that was it. It was a parcours which was very demanding in the peloton. Up and down, short climbs, fast dangerous descents. As soon as you got to the top of a climb, you'd start on the next one.
Kurt already said that Stage 10 had his name on it. He got out there, got in the break and it was a bloody big effort. Shorter hills do suit him. A group of 15-16 would actually go well because it was not an easy day for the peloton. As soon as you were 15 back you had to fight for your position.
So when Kurt went away in the break, he never looked back. Later on, Kim was in the earphones telling him that Simoni was coming, and to wait for him. Simoni's riding for the GC, so Kurt was able to more or less profit a bit. At the end, Kim said 'You've got enough now, save a bit for the sprint.'
Kurt deserved it and he's got a big career ahead of him. It's nice that he can pick out a stage and go for it. I expect bigger and better things from Kurt.
It was a bit unlucky for Magnus, who almost got that group for the Intergiro. He was 5 seconds behind them, and that could have possibly put him into the lead. One of our sponsors, Pata Chips, already said to Magnus this morning that he'll give a bonus if he gets the jersey. Nothing like a bit of money for motivation!
They're really stoked, Pata Chips, with how things are going. The owner of Pata Chips turned up in his Lamborghini this morning and he was a guest in our director's car. Also our team manager Peter Sejer's father arrived yesterday, along with our photographer Frank Rud Jensen. And Fausto Pinarello is pretty happy with his Opera Bikes in Italy. Really, the day couldn't have been better.
Up until now we've had a great Giro, now with the stage win from Kurt just topped it off. Anything from here on in is a bonus.
My day
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Personally it was a good day. I had very good legs and I could sit back a bit. At one moment I thought they would close it down earlier but it was very difficult to do anything, because you had to be at the front.
One problem I had was Kim being in the front with Kurt, and our second car was behind with the group, because three or four of the boys were out the back. That left me without any drinks. I was calling for the car and he couldn't get to me. Christian Henn from Gerolsteiner came up to give me a bottle. Then as I was putting it in my bidon cage, I heard Simoni attacked...
The bunch was already lined out, and I almost got there but fell short. All the guys coming back didn't want to help me because they couldn't. I came to the top of the hill into a headwind and couldn't close. Then there was a dangerous downhill where a couple of guys crashed and all the cars had stopped, so I couldn't get any assistance from the convoy. Coming up to the last hill it was lights out and so I lost 6 minutes.
It was a bit disappointing but c'est la vie. I wasn't really looking at doing a good classement, but if you make an effort to be up there, then it's nice to be able to finish it off. But now I've lost a few more minutes I might have a better chance to get away later. There aren't too many stages left like this though - it's either mega mega mountains or flat. Maybe on the day after the Zoncolan.
At least I feel good - I wasn't shattered after the race...but very bloody thirsty. I'm feeling alright now after drinking heaps and having a relaxing bath. These hotels are getting better and better as we go further north.
I'm going for dinner now and expect to get some champagne. Hopefully the big boss of Pata Chips is there!
Bye for now,
Scott
