So, obviously, Paris-Nice did not go so great for us. But I gotta say, what a great race! It had everything I love about cycling. Changing leaders, unpredictability, suffering. It was completely non-mechanical and could have been won or lost all the way to the last 20 meters of the race.

In the end, a top young talent (Gesink) was out manauvered by some veterans. It could have gone any number of ways. None of which would make me scratch my head and think, “This is a bit boring.”

Unpredictable racing is really encouraging to see. It’s a sign that younger riders have a lot to look forward to in their careers, as opposed to dread. Fans too have got to love this type of racing. It reminds me of the ‘87 Tour when the race lead changed who knows how many times. Guys blew up one day, but attacked the next. Really great stuff - and really human.

Any how, for those of you that have been discouraged by cycling the last few years, I really think things are changing. I really believe Paris-Nice was real, gritty, human racing from stem to stern. I hope the Tour will be the same this year too. I really do.

JV