Day four of racing was today, and all the team are pleased with today's performances. A 82.5km hilly race with three KOMs, including the finish line, it began with a long 12.2km neutralised zone starting on campus. This meant a lie-on, and even the weather was half-decent, with some wet roads, but plenty of sun.
The pack split on the first KOM at 10.6, with my teammates near the front, and myself at the rear (as has been the custom over the past few days!). I had been doing well with my position, but the legs simply didn't respond on the hill. There were some riders flying out the back past me though, so not entirely displeased with my pace. I managed to form a coherent group with about six other riders - 'tis a bad day when I'm the one barking orders to keep the line discipline and the pace stead. But we rode on, collecting the remnants of the first bunch as we went.
We hit another smaller KOM, then a long descent, with some hairy switchbacks (yours truly unclipped one foot to skid around a particularly sharp corner), and then we had a bunch of 30-40 riders, becoming the peloton.
Dual carriageway sections gave us great opportunities to practice our up and overs, powering along and maintaining an average of about 50kmph to get us home swiftly.
One of us got in 25th place, and myself and the other rolled over about 5mins later. I hopped 6 spots in the GC, and means I've entered the top 80 for the first time! \o/
We've also improved our placing in the Team GC. A low point of 25th after stage 2 has now jumped to 21st after stage 5. We're hoping to gain at least one more spot tomorrow, but with a 6km KOM finish (Llangyndir mountain - eep!), we won't know until very late in the day.
Now, to sleep!
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