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The last couple of days have been mind boggling. I've ridden a few bike races in my time but I've never experienced crowds like this. Each time we have ventured into Germany the crowds have just gone bananas. When we were five km from the finish in Karlsruhe, the roar from the crowd was just electrifying.
The first climb today was only a cat. 3, but it was in Germany and the crowds were enormous. It was just like climbing l'Alpe d'Huez. There was no room on the road as we approached, it was just a wall of people, and then suddenly they just parted to let us through. I felt like Moses.
My legs are feeling great. I said at the start of the Tour that I was in the best condition of my life and I still feel that way. I really think I will improve as the tour goes on but of course everyone gets tired by the end of a three week tour.
Stuey is going well and we thought we might be able to keep him up the front on the last climb, as it did not look too steep in the race book. But they raced it so hard, unbelievably hard, that only the GC riders were able to contest the sprint.
Tomorrow is a real tough day early and not a day for Stuey so we will just get into a good group and save as much energy as possible. Sounds easy but I know that it won't be.
I plan to stay upright tomorrow. I've had my three falls now, one before the Tour and two during, and I'm done now.
