Making it Stick. 3rd place. Stage 5, Tour de Nez

With so much of this season being based on catching up and finding good form again, I am very happy to have finished up the Tour de Nez with a nice podium spot on the last stage. The 5km circuit was one of the best I have ever raced, located in the Northstar ski village, the course was either up or down, left or right or bumping a top brick roads through the winding village. With some luck I snuck away after the first few laps, accompanied quickly by some good help. We established a nice break. When then mid to late in the race we we're joined by some fresh horse power; 3 Bissell riders, including Aaron Olson gunning to make up 24sec. to win the overall. While it took a rather deep breath to compose myself with the new tremendous pace put by mostly Zirbel and his mates, which actually sched a few of our original break riders, I found comfort in knowing we would stay away to the line and perhaps I would have a chance for a win.

We did stay away, the field shattering behind us as the Kelly riders chased trying to save their overall while Olson saw time on his side. I hoped for a good sprint from to the line against the other 7 in our break, but maybe I waited to long in giving myself a good chance to win. Either way, 3rd place on the last stage makes me smile and perhaps I will build on this one and bring some more confidence to the next race.