Stage 3 - Criterium du Dauphine
While shorter in distance, TTT days are always long days that take a commitment from everyone. It is no easier than a long road stage.
For Stage 3 of the Critérium du Dauphiné, we were up and out the door early to preview the course. While roads weren’t closed to traffic yet, we knew we needed to ride the course firsthand to feel the corners and undulations. Today’s course was a fast one with a slight cross tailwind, gently rolling roads and only a few corners.
After our recon, we headed onto the bus for a long wait before our warm-ups. At BMC Racing Team, we approach the TTT very seriously, and you can feel that focus on the bus and around the truck from everyone—mechanics, soigneurs, coaches, and directors. Everyone is on point and has a job to do.
You feel that pressure and energy, so today I made an effort to be aware of this collective effort and internalize it for my own power and motivation.
It’s a cool feeling racing a TTT with such a well-prepared and capable group. I’m always amazed once we hit the course how fast we go on those bikes and how close we are to one another. I don’t think any of the guys from BMC’s multiple TTT World Championships were here, but every guy on this squad has won a TTT before and knows what it takes.
In the end, we executed a strong and very solid performance, but we were outmatched by Sky. Still, at this level and this race, we are proud of that performance and the effort everyone put out there.
Tomorrow, a new race starts as we go into the big mountains and four straight days of summit finishes. Is there any race other than the Vuelta than does four straight summit finish days!?!