Stage 4

Hey folks,


Today was stage 4 of the tour. 140km. We were all pretty beat as we went through sign in. Gabe's back and ribs are really soar, and Dan has been hurling most of last night. We think it is because of the heat. Dan still started today anyway.

The race was really fast right from the gun. Most of us figured guys would be tired from the previous days, but we were Way wrong. Heading away from the city, we were moving along at 38mph. Tecos was controlling the front, trying to prevent an breaks. About 30km into the race, the USA national team moved to the front and totally drilled it into the cross wind, and shattered the field. I was too far back, and got stuck in a smal group. Guy were getting droped left and rght, leaving huge gaps. I chased HARD to close gaps. Myself and a rider from Tecos did almost all the work, as maybe 30 or more guys sat on our wheels. It was pretty frustrating. We ended up pulling at 25-30mph for at least 40km and were getting close to the caravan behind the lead group. But the lack of cooperation in our group doomed us, and we ended up never catching them. Mike, Gabe and Tony were up there, tearing it up. Gabe and Tony ended up in the top 20, and Mike close behind. Dan and Joe had to drop out of the race early on. There was on hill on the course called "Cement Hill". Yes, it is cement and also really steep, very similar to manyunk wall, but maybe 1/4 of the length. What made it harder, was that before you hit it, you go threw a one lane metal bridge, and then make a hard 90degree left turn onto it. Tomarrow will be going DOWN cement hill, making a hard right, and going threw the metal bridge from the other way. That should be interesting. 182km tomorrow, in what I am told it the Queen stage of this race. The roads will be the worse so far, with some hills thrown in. It will be a tough one indeed!

Shefield has us at a unbelievable resort right now for the next 2 days. I ahve never seen anything like this. It looks like it is right out of MTV crips. A dissapearing adge pool, each room is seperated into huts, coconut trees everywhere, a few exoctic birds, a menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner ect ect. This evening, we went out to eat in town, and then went to check out the Mian runis. That was an awesome sight! Being able to enjoy this incredible country, eat good food and not think about the race really helped us all out big time. I hope to be strong enough tomorrow to stick with Gabe and do what I can in helping him out. My legs are feeling surprisingly good, and I really do not feel nearly as soar as yesterday.

that's all for now. Ciao!