Thursday, 23rd July, 2009

From Annecy, Tour de France

I’ve just showered after a great ride with the head designer of one of the potential bike sponsors for Team sky this morning. It was an interesting conversation happening while on two wheels, wish more meetings could be done this way.

It’s beautiful here in and around Annecy, a wonderful city. It's overcast now and looks like rain. Don't think the boys will keep it totally dry for the TT.

Now, I don’t have much time to catch breath but just relaxing for a moment on my bed, I thought I’d quickly update my blog page, won’t get the opportunity to do so next week I think.
It has been very different; to be at the Tour in my current role and not in the same way I was last year with Team CSC-Saxo Bank, helping to direct a team on the road.
I don’t mind it, looking at it from a different angle, but it just feels a bit awkward at times.
 
The Saxo Bank guys are doing great again and I'm happy seeing the Schleck brothers on the podium. They are really cool guys. I hope they hold on to their placing, and I’m looking forward to the coming stages. I also enjoy watching Alberto Contador doing his thing. And how about cycling’s living legend Lance Armstrong; this guy is tough as nails! I expected him to finish top 5 in this Tour but he's actually coming damn close to winning it and he does it all with style and maybe that’s what I appreciate the most.
 
The month of July hasn’t been easy. On a personal level, my family and I had to deal with a very upsetting situation and I hated leaving my wife and two boys behind in Belgium while travelling with the Tour across France. But duty called and I need to get a team together for next year and the seasons after, so I had no choice. I had to make a very short trip to Australia too in the mean time, so you can imagine I felt a bit drained by the time I got back to the Tour on the second rest day.
 
As far as Team sky is concerned, everything is progressing well and I’m happy to say that it’s been rewarding to find out there are so many great riders interested. I had a few really productive days on the Tour so far so all’s good.
 
Due to popular demand I have started  “twittering”. My "address": triplesmc
I honestly didn’t think I’d ever use such a service. For one, because it is a dangerous tool to have at hand when emotions are ruling and logic is pushed into a corner for even the briefest moment. I have heard a lot of stupid things being sent out into the world by people who would certainly regret having posted that remark later on. I know some journalists don’t like it; but they do get some juicy details from time to time ;-)

I’m still no aficionado of the whole concept, but according to fanatics, I’ll get hooked in no time. I admit it’s handy now and again. We’ll see.

I’m travelling back to Belgium tonight. I want to spend some time with my sons and I need to be home tomorrow for a meeting.

On Saturday, I’m taking my wife Sabine into Paris. We haven’t had the chance to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary yesterday, so I’m going to try and make that up to her with a weekend in the city of Romance ;-)  

And yes, there happens to be a race on at the same time... Now, how handy is that!

 

Cheers

Scott