Sparkasse Giro in Bochum, Germany

Well I’ve completed my first UCI 1.1 race in Europe. The Sparkasse Giro in Bochum, Germany consisted of 12 laps that equaled 175K total with lots of big teams and riders there. To name a few Voigt, Zabel, McEwne, and Patacci. Most of the big team were there which also draws the big crowds. Around the 15K loop there was always someone and around the start finish line they were standing 8 deep. It’s amazing the fan support they get here. On parts of the loop there were some good BBQ’s going on and if I were to pull out I know where it would have been. It should be on TV at some point. There was a helicopter following most of the time until the break went. I didn’t make the break but I was okay with that. The team did okay and had our top guy finish 30th and I was happy to role in 70th for my first 1.1 race. The day before we did another Pro crit in Unna, Germany. The highlight of that race was seeing El Diablo. The actual real Devil from the Tour de France was there cheering us on and taking pictures. I wanted to go get my camera but didn’t have time. The Pro Crits are fun and usually on crazy courses. I can’t imagine the race being full out on the courses though. It would just be a slug fest. The other half of the team did a durney race with a pro field. There were 30 riders and 30 mopeds. Each rider has a moped that passes them for the whole race. The race is really decided upon the moped. It looked like a blast as the guys were drafting off these fat old men on mopeds for 65K. It’s a pretty chill day with some light training. Wednesday we do a race in Leige that should be tough.