With the flow of the third week they climb the giants of the Haute des Alpes. Col du Var (2100m), Col d’Izoard (2400m), Co du Galibier (2650m), Col du Telegraphe (1560m) and Col du Grand Cucheron (1200m). Two really challenging stages that demand everything from you and it really goes high up, as my photo on top of the Galibier conveys.

With the greatest heat France experienced in a long time they followed the route from Montpellier north via beautiful Avignon to Carpentras for a well-deserved second day of rest. The CCO (Chief Cycling Officer) reports they saw 44 degrees Celsius on the thermometer and spent the whole day in the pool next to the bar. They really earned this rest day.

Sleeping, bathtub, spa and 3 times eat properly. The group has made it to Eaux Bonnes to the famous HOTEL RICHELIEU, earned the day of rest before it gets really serious tomorrow. The Richelieu is a well known place by everyone of the cyclist community as well as Eaux Bonnes, the place to be before you enter the Pyrenees of France.

My 3rd stage was a 11 hours car driving across France back home. While the group paddled into beautiful Bordeaux and as I hear one and some more delicious wine tasting and excellent food was pending.

I still can’t believe that I can’t be there anymore. For the first time I experience a stage in the car. This is nothing unusual, because sometimes someone is overworked and needs a day off, or gets an infection, or slightly injured. We then look after him and wave and cheer him up, so that he at least gets the feeling of being there.

Out over. All the favorites are out with injuries. After Chris Froom now Roland. Crash at the end of the first stage, when I wanted to ride easy the last km to the hotel. I missed the curb. Crash and broken collarbone. I am so sad. I was looking forward to Christmas like a boy. Later more …

As you can see, our fans have already provided themselves with appropriate clothing for the legendary party in Paris. What else can go wrong. So let’s go on a new adventure …

Storm, rain, heavy winds and cold is not exactly my training weather. Time flies and there are only 4 weeks until the tour. At least the weather is finally getting better, although rain is predicted again.

It’s getting to be spring, but also April, the sun is shining, then it storms again, but the roads are dry. Now begins the 12-week plan, the plan to get in shape.

Is there a better image that expresses how it feels to ride up the Pyrenees early in the morning, sniffing that air, breathing the morning, feeling the freedom and climbing the summit? I’m sure there are many, but this is mine, on the climb to Col d’Aubisque at 1700m on the 2016 Trans-Pyrenees Tour. And that’s exactly where we go again this year on our 2019 Route de France.