SIR GUESTLING THORN

You may have noticed that I am avoiding politics at present and for good reason, the subject makes me angry.

I have been watching my favourite sport Cycling. There are a lot of races on at present because Covid has affected the race calendar. I am watching the Giro each day. For those who don’’t know The Giro de Italia is the first of the three Grand Tours ridden each year and as it’s name suggests this one is around Italy. The other two are the Tour de France (which is next) and later the Vuelta around Spain. Each Tour is three weeks long (two rest days) and each days stage can very from a short time trial to well over 200 kilometres and averages 150k. They ride over every type of terrain from flat roads to mountains with over a 20% gradient! They ride at speeds of up to 70 kilometres an hour and average 35 to 40 kilometres an hour. Each team has 8 riders, usually a sprinter (for flat stage finishes) a number of “domestics” and a team leader who the other riders protect and support hoping to get them as high the General Classification as possible. The subtleties of the tactics are too many to explain here but suffice it to say it is not as simple as it might appear. Their years Giro is being lead by one of the favourites Egan Bernal from team Ineos (used to be Sky). He has the strongest team and they try to control the race protecting there leader, his team mates riding in front and keeping him out of the worst of the wind. 

As I write this, today’s stage is on it’s way and the rain is horrible, especially as they are climbing the highest mountain on this one. Professional cyclist have to be one of the toughest athletes there is. There have been a number of crashes and 30 odd riders have abandoned the race. Broken ribs, dislocated shoulders, saddle sores, general illness, take there toll! I have crashed several times over many years and I can tell you it’s no fun and I certainly can’t ride any close to the speed these guys go!

I am a poor climber and these riders go up steep roads much faster than I ride on the flat. They can, as they say “run out of legs” and lose any contact with the Peloton or “breakaway” Heartbreak or joy if you are just pipped or finish first. Eventually after three weeks the cider with the fastest overall time wins and in the Giro claims the MagliaRosa, the Pink Jersey. Over a thousand kilometres in all conditions these cyclists are a breed apart and true sporting heroes.

Stay well