Out with the Academy in Italy

I'm now over my knee trouble (fingers crossed) and been thrown in the deep end. Max Sciandri from the GB Academy called me up to ask if I could do u23 roubaix and also a race in Italy. I didn't hesitate..

Well I didn't have the ideal start to my European trip. Last Thursday was course recon for Roubaix and I was feeling good. Andy Fenn was in good form and looking powerful when we did the first 120K . Following a couple of easy days Sunday came around pretty quick. Everything was in place; I had gorged myself at the hotel all week and the bikes were all prepped. It was raining at the start so everyone was nervous. Hitting the first sector wet was going to be carnage.

It dried up as we approached the cobbles and turned out to be dusty. I was well placed and hit the first 3 sectors in the top 20 and held my position. Coming into the following sector I ended up piling into a French guy who slid out and was taken out from behind. I punctured my front wheel, bashed my knee and destroyed my helmet and tried to chase. By the time I got out of the pave the whole convoy was out of sight and we kept chasing for another 10k before the broomwagon 'swept' us up. I was really dissapointed and felt even worse when Max said I could have got back on as it really slowed up. Ah well at least I will know for next time. Team USA had 5 guys in the broomwagon, so I guess they felt worse.

Now I am in Quarratta, Italy staying in the Academy house. We've got a race this weekend which I'm pretty excited about and after that I'm not sure what is going to happen. I managed to slip out on a bend yesterday and split open my chin; needing 3 stiches. I'm pretty bruised and battered but I felt alright today on the bike and the weather has been good. I'll try and get some pictures for the blog soon...