from me. With the major surgery I had on my arm, followed by 8 weeks off the bike, I was hoping that others would be happy with the effort that I?ve made. But then I guess no-one except those who are close to me, know just how hard it has been for me. The important thing it that I know I have worked dam hard to get back and even if I?m not back to my best before the end of the year, I?ve done everything humanly possible that I could have done and then some.

Anyway, today?s stage was a 48km ITT which I got through conserving as much energy as possible. We have two very, very difficult days in the
Pyrenees now. Hopefully I can get through them. There?s going to be a lot of suffering ?again?. That?s cycling though and that?s what I love to hate about it. If I can make it through the next two days then I should be ok for a while as we have a rest day on Wednesday and then an easy day. Next weekend will see the next set of difficult mountain stages.

So think of me over the next 2 days in the
Pyrenees when you sink down into your lovely cushioned couch, kick your feet up and settle down for a beer and a bag of chips in front of the telly. I?ll be out there biting my handlebar stem with the seat up my arse, grovelling up one of four 25km, 2000m climbs for the day.

Julz

Click here to send Julian your comments.