Sicily was as crazy as ever, we used to race quite a lot there way back when. We actually took the boat from Genova, an 18 hour trip which I quite enjoyed.

We have a super team here, and if you have been following the race you will have noted that we are sitting pretty at the moment. Alberto had a little setback when he crashed and hurt his elbow. But as I said in my last entry after Pais Vasco, he is unreal. Simply the best.

Of course everybody is saying he could not have been on holiday etc etc. They obviously don't recognize class when they see it.

In the TT yesterday I followed Andreas Kloden, he did a great ride to finish 3rd, he died a little at the end, but it was a very hard course. I rode it on the morning of the rest day, I was using 39-27, ok, I am an old git, but still. The guys used 39-26n that gives you a good idea. That after a long 10 days of racing. With crazy transfers.

The night before the rest day for example the riders arrived at midnight. Then at 8 am on the REST day the UCI came to take blood. What is all that about? They aprove the course, transfers etc, knowing what the riders have been through, then they do that. I mean, do you have to be Einstien? Maybe.

So, we have a couple of easy days now, then we are heading north to the hills. Were we know the likes of Simoni and Ricco are going to be loving it, and its going to tough. But as it stands now I think we should be able to handle it. For sure we will need to have our witts about us. Watch this space. I promise I will update you daily once the action starts:-)