Pia Sundstedt

It is so comfortable to start at the front. I have the chance to take the position behind the car during the neutralized part and as the car drives away I usually take the wheel of some of the pro guys. One of the best wheels are the ones from my team mate Carsten Bresser and   Thomas Dietsch (Team Bulls). They are riding in a smooth way without doing any sudden movements. The problem is, I can not keep their speed for a very long time.
Today I was in the first group for the first 7 km. Then I remembered the promise I made myself to take it easy. So I switched the gear and started to spin up the climb. Britain’s Sally Bigham caught up to me and I followed her. It was a very comfortable speed. It was so nice just to spin up the first climb.
The second climb was very steep, but I again felt very good. Not pushing myself at all. So until there my plan of having a recovery day was working.
On the top me and Sally were riding with 2 men. When you wear the leader’s jersey you are allowed not to work. How nice! After a few km we were caught by a group of close to 15 riders. Now the speed suddenly was doubled up. We were fast. With about 20km to go I suddenly noticed Sally had been dropped. She told me later she had some technical problems. Her chain fell down at a crucial point so it was nearly impossible to catch us again. Very bad luck, and I can understand her anger.
Today we had a mountain finish. I liked mountain finishes as a road cyclist and I like them as a mountainbiker as well. Winning the third stage on top of a mountain was great.
Tomorrow is the last stage from Garmisch-Partenkirchen – Achensee in Austria. The start is already at 7.30 so My mobile phone will wake me up early tomorrow morning to have my oats and coffee.
Now I will make an afternoon nap. 🙂