The Cima Coppi - Day 4

Today's inspiration is Luca Poalini - my favourite non British/Belgian cyclist who we saw on the Stelvio taking advantage of the closed roads, although he was going a little faster than us...

Anyway, after the last 2 days of 100km+ and >3,000m of climbing, today was a much more reasonable ride up the Passo dello Stelvio, which at 2,757m, is the second highest pass in the Alps.  It's 21.6km long at 7.5% but with a few ramps of 14% - as the Belgians would say, ai ai ai ai.

After yesterday's pain, I thought I'd take it a little easier and aim for a time of under 2 hours which seemed par talking to the guys that had done the ride last year. The start was fairly impressive with 1,500 Belgians plus me lined up in Bormio - Belgian TV was there to witness the event and it really was a fantastic atmosphere.

As I was an honourable member of the Luminus Team, I was allowed at the front and set off at a steady pace. Soon after, Ruud (Gert Steegmans lookalike) from yesterday overtook me and I stayed with him for at least 50 meters. I then used Team ING as my pacemakers and it turned out that Bart who I ended up doing about 5km with used to work for Johan from Day 2.

Bart too had gone too hard yesterday and I kicked on thinking I only had about 7km to go but I was soon brought back to reality by a sign saying 10km to go, immediately followed by the 14% section. This led to lots of Belgians overtaking me until I got it back together with 5km to go and with the help of Argos Shimano man, made up most of the places I lost. As we neared the top there were a load of cheering fans, cowbells and a PA system with a very excited commentator - this inspired me to sprint to the line and I completed the climb in 1 hour 55 minutes which I was most happy with.

Rob Merrington was right about the top of the Stelvio not being the prettiest place (not his exact words) but there was a brilliant atmosphere especially hearing the stories of all the people I'd ridden with over the last few days. 

First up was Frank who'd ridden despite suffering from a sickness bug.

Next up was Ludwig, the sole French representative and the owner of a splendid beard.

Then Argos Shimano man who wrongly thought that the snow might hide the fact that he was wearing white bib shorts.

600km a day Jan obviously got to the top well before me.

Then when the rest of the Luminus Marketing crew reached the top we had the obligatory team photo.

Then after a good hour or so at the top Jeroen, his wife and I started the decent with a few pre agreed stops for yet more photo opportunities.

We then made it safely back to Bormio for yet more pasta/beer in the riders' village.

In the village, I was further buoyed by seeing the results of yesterday's timed ride up the Gavia - 117th out of 794 which, being ever so slightly competitive, I was v happy with.

The shorter ride certainly made for a more enjoyable afternoon and alongside getting Bluebell and the girls some presents, I wandered around Bormio which is a really cool mix of medieval italiante and alpine architecture.

Tomorrow, home, sweet home. So that's it, till the next time...