Today I started for the 3rd time the Tour of Malta. I am taking part in this Tour for the simple reason to improve and take my cycling to another level. I took a couple of easier days since my coach told me there was not point going into such a hard tour tired. I was really looking forward to this Time Trial to see where exactly my cycling power is. I knew that I could not get a super result since the distance is not the same I am training for. There is a big difference between training for a 180km Time Trial and a 33km Time Trial. The first one is more on aerobic endurance where as the latter is mainly Anaerobic, a system which I'm not really training that much at the moment. Anyhow, my motivation was sky high this morning and when I realised that my legs were not that tired, I thought I should have a go and see what I can produce on the day.
I started with a good 45mins warm up on the turbo trainer. As I am doing a lot of long distance training at the moment it is taking me a while to get moving so I thought it would be better for me to do a deep warm up. The wind today was really really strong, Force 7. I still risked it and put on the Corima Disk wheel and 3-Spoke front wheel. I went out on the first lap and although I wasnt feeling particularly fast, I knew it was going to be a good day. Today it was more a Time Trial for strong cyclists and not for fast ones and I do fall in that category. I started lapping at a good solid pace and realised that apart from a couple of local cyclists I was doing quite well.
I powered my way through the strong winds and posted my fastest Lap in the 4th one. Going into the 5th Lap I aimed to better that time since it was the last one. Unfortunately my back wheel went 'BANG'.... puncture. I was in tears. All that effort went down the drain. I tried to call a couple of people with spare wheels since I had gone past my parents, but they didnt want to help me............'AS I'M NOT PART OF THEIR TEAM' ......... and these were Maltese. So you think during an international Tour, where you are racing against foreign cyclists you would get help from your nationals?!?!?! Well not in this country... I'm sorry. Eventually a kind man of Green's Cycling Club gave me a wheel and I could finish the race safely.
My disappointment today didnt come from not being able to perform at my best and get a good placing (I was fighting it out for 3rd maltese), it is more from the lack of sportsmenship there was on the road. Such is life I'm afraid but it was hard to swallow. I am deeply hurt!!
Tomorrow's stage is an 85km Road Race. Will see how the legs feel and do my best.
Off for a swim now to relax....
And today's Sportsmanship Award goes to ...................................... (not ethical to tell you)
Dermot
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