VeloVeritas

World Road Championships – Day 6: Postscript (0)

It’s 3.45 pm CET. I’ve been doing the tourist thing today. Salzburg is beautiful no-doubt, but it’s a tad de-caffeinated, a good place to come with your girl but lacking that real-life’ edge of say a Gent or a Lisbon.

It’s hard to find a proper bar but this one seems OK, complete with busty barmaid.

World Road Championships – Day 5: Elite Road Race (0)

It’s Sunday now and Paolo Bettini is World Champion.

Erik Zabel’s last chance of a rainbow jersey is surely gone, Valverde has another Worlds medal and I’d better try to get this diary up to date.

I left you yesterday as the women’s race was running its course.

World Road Championships – Day 4: Espoirs Road Race (0)

I was up before the bells, showered, washing done and on the street. Even at 08. 00 it’s buzzing.

The first rider I saw was from Brazil, then the Russian team – looking good in their Itera kit on white carbon Looks. 177 riders from all over the globe; 47 nations. I just saw the Mexicans sign-on.

World Road Championships – Day 3: A Little Downtime (0)

Not much exciting so far and its gone 2.00 pm. I awoke to the bells at about 7.30 and was first in the shower room. Breakfast was fine, but there’s still no small-talk n there; it’s not a bad thing I guess – you are out the door pronto.

I was sat in the press centre immediately it opened at 9.00 and I’ve been writing ever since. I did my piece about Vino, Zabriskie and Cancellara plus their respective bikes and since then I’ve been getting the old Veloresults dairy up to date.

World Road Championships – Day 2: Elite Time Trial (0)

The alarm went at 08.00 and I hobbled out of bed. The shower room was occupied so it was the full wash in the sink routine – hope nobody filmed it. It has to be the most unfriendly breakfast room in the world – nobody speaks so it was quick bowl of muesli and out the door.

The accreditation centre was on the other side of town; another taxi ride but fortunately the fares here aren’t too brutal. Despite friendly exchange of emails in the weeks before with the UCI guy, there was no pass waiting for me – “It’s not unusual”’ said the girl as she rolled her eyes.

World Road Championships – Day 1: Getting there (0)

It was a 04.00 alarm job to get ready to leave at 06.00 and I hadn’t had time to pack the night before.

It’s always the same driving to Prestwick – you think you are making great time until you get to Stepps and the vast car park that is the M8 during the rush-hour.

Check-in at Prestwick wasn’t too bad but the Colgate had to go – I wouldn’t mind but it drives me crazy not knowing how to convert it into an explosive device.