RUTA DEL SOL - Stage 4

Winner! After yesterday’s finish line frustrations, it was awesome to see the team ride strong again and Jack delivering the goods for a big W. Seeing the video of his sprint, it was clear how badly he wanted that one, and there’s no doubt yesterday fueled that a bit. It’s satisfying as teammates to work for Jack and see him convert his great form, as well as the team’s hard work over the past four days, into a win.

The stage played out about as we predicted. Fast with some technical roads, which most of us thankfully knew after some training camps in the area. I think most of the peloton was in the same boat, so not sure if it was much of an advantage it was, but anytime we race on roads that we know what’s coming, it is a nice bonus.

That last climb was a leg crusher and the pace at the bottom was pretty nuclear. I tried to stay with Jack as long as I could, but blew up pretty good, and was just off the back of the next chase group as we went over the top of the climb.

Tomorrow we finish the race with a TT with a controversial course featuring a long section of gravel roads. I know the gravel wave is super trendy right now, but I think I echo the feelings of most of the peloton here that an ITT in a stage race is not the place for it. It’s a little frustrating to once again realize that us riders have so little say with the conditions where we conduct our livelihood. It seems even when we try uniting through the CPA, it is also unable to do too much for us here. Fortunately, Jack is a savvy bike handler and with an MTB background, it could actually suit him well compared to some of his competitors. Fingers crossed he will hold his podium position, and the rest of us get around safely with one more early-season test.

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