Race Day, Houffalize
5.30
RaceDay
Houffalize, World Cup #2
I woke up early to beat the traffic. It was one of those deals where you jump out of bed thinking you’re already late. Glad I wasn’t. Got to the media tent and tried to hook up my laptop. Did not work so well. For some unknown reason my computer would not recognize the internet line. I tried 3 terminals and nada. Talk about frustrating. I still had to book a flight to Scotland and the longer it took me the more expensive it would get. But I had to press on, it was race day and things were happening fast.
I ran over my shooting course. It would entail running all over town and up some pretty steep hills, over a clear-cut hillside and through a stream. Kind of like my own race, just not on a bike. The women got off at 11am. I got plenty of shots tho the dust was a major concern. I put the rain cover I bought for the camera on but it would heat up inside and start to fog things up. After making it to most of the good spots on the course, the women finished - Sue 15th (I think) just ahead of Shonny and just behind Mary. Allison stepped up and took 2nd. Sue was really unhappy with her results since Shonny started a ways back from her. She was also not happy to have a camera in her face after it all. I did my best to give her space. Then the men got started. Jeremiah was upbeat and eager. The race was amazingly harsh. The Europeans are intense to say the least. Elbows flying, handlebars hooking up and crashes all over. Blood, dust and sweat. The crowds were like nothing I’ve ever seen. Along one climb on a steep, rutted, rooty section of the course the crowds were 4 people deep the entire way up. I got behind Bishop and ran the whole climb with the camera just over his shoulder. I hope it gives the viewer a glimpse of the intensity I’m talking about. It was insane. The energy levels were through the roof.
Bishop got pulled, meaning if you are about to get lapped by the leaders - you get pulled out of the race. To his credit, he was riding really strong but had some problems with his shifting and suffered 2 flats. You simply cannot get back to the place you were once you have problems like that. He remains positive tho.
I’m still missing the intimate views of who these people are tho. I will try these next couple days, before leaving for Scotland. Oh, and I went back to the media tent at the end of the day and tried one last time - internet came through fine. I just don’t understand stuff like that.
