MedS4_Martin Today we–Ryder, Timmy, Lucas, Pat and I (pictured right)–cruised from Girona down to Valencia in the Slipstream/Chipotle bus and tried to get out for a short spin. I got lucky and fell on a sweet road out of the Valencian suburbs. Our hotel, apart from challenging the parking skills of our bus driver, is a nice joint. In my opinion there are three keys to success: good bed, good shower and good food. This place ticks all boxes, so happy days.

Now the race. Compared to last week’s Tour Med, distances of stages are up about 50% and so is the quality of our competitors. Every day seems lumpy but I’d give a rough prediction that 4/5 stages will finish with a big group sprint. Stage 3 seems the hardest on paper with not a whole lot of flat on the profile. But this is bike racing so anything can happen. I guess that’s why we love it so.

*Editor’s note: Also joining the fab five listed above for Valencia are Australians Trent Lowe and Chris “CJ” Sutton, along with Julian “Kiwi Guy” Dean.**