Going into my first race of the year, I didn’t really know what to expect. The pace started high and really didn’t stop until the top of the first climb of the day at 50K. With the likes of Cunego, Simoni, Di Luca, Paolini, Pozzato filling out the field, any break was doomed from the beginning.

About 15K from the start of the last climb of the day only three of us - Will, Huub and I - remained. The others were saving themselves for the next day (Haut Var, France). When the Italians started unleashing their fury on the climb, I followed wheels and made it over the top with the front group in sight.

Though my climbing legs were good, this winter turned my descending to crap. For the first time, I was dropped on the descent and sitting in no man’s land. I was forced to sit up and wait for reinforcements. Huub and Will came up in the grupetto and to the finish we rolled - dead last.

In no way are any of us disappointed. It was a great day and will only make us better for the big races to come. Next up Haut Var.