Almost €3.5M was the cost of the 7 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, and 11 doors(!) chalet in Morzine (see it in one of the pictures) that was the subject of a bet between two members of the group. The first one at the top of the second climb wins.
There was a bit of a debate about what was the second climb but we all know who was the loser anyway (in the video below his declarations). It is great to know that a Kingston Wheeler will own such a nice chalet in Morzine. I foresee lots of cycling training camps here.
As I was a winner no matter what, I wasn’t involved in the first two climbs (by my counting). I focused on climbing the first one (Col de la Colombière) at a steady pace. I went easy the first half of the second one (Col des Aravis) and allowed myself to push it a little bit in the second half.
I found myself following The Pope and GC Denis’ wheel in the last two climbs. Those were two easy climbs and they were not pushing it hard but, still, just being there is a win for me.
Good sensations. Form is coming.
What is not coming back is my common sense / race craft.
700m to the top of the last climb, the winning line. Overexcited Javier decided it was the moment to launch his attack and take it all the way to the line. In my mind I was planning to celebrate with both arms in the air.
200m later I ran out of steam and came to an almost complete stop. The Pope first and then GC Denis overtook me and opened a gap.
100m later, 400m to the line I felt fully recovered and thought, again, that I still could win this race.
Stood on the bike, put the power on the pedals and gained speed. I passed GC Denis first and I was still gaining speed.
I passed The Pope and I quickly opened a big gap.
100m to the line I ran out of steam again and came to an almost complete stop. Again. The Pope first and then GC Denis overtook me, this time wondering what the hell I was doing.
I was third on the climb.
I won the self-confident competition though.
The ride in Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/18812647488/
Take care of yourself
Javier Arias González
