Umbrail / Stelvio Giro 2017

Berner Rundfahrt Seeland Classic

 An early fixture on the list of races in Switzerland, and this is one race which I have learned has a lot of respect among Swiss riders as a classic event, and this was my chance to give it my best shot.
The Berner Rundfahrt is a race for pros, the day before the amateurs take part on the same course for the Seeland Classic. You can do 1, 2 or 3 laps of the circuit, and it is a circuit with a significant climb to tear apart the peloton and sort out the neo-pros from the weekend warriors.
Beyond the main climb, which starts off very mild, the rest of the course is undulating to say the least.

On the fastest part of the main descent of the second lap the wheel of the ride in front of me collapsed as we took a sharp right hander, he hit the deck and span in front of me, sliding down the hill, I felt for sure I would have to either jump him or crash, but as he slid so fast I had time to slow using normal braking protocols and avoid the wrecktangle before me. After that I had a very tough time to get back to the group, probably this shouldn't be possible with so many riders. I was with one other rider, who helped a while but eventually succumbed to the pace necessary to get back on.

Its fast, and looking back now it could be the best shape I was in this year, before the usual over training etc.

2:46:48,1 101km 36.6kph