Transalp Stage 6 - Alleghe to San Martino de Castrozza - Team Zipvit Sport

I've got to start this today with a huge thanks to everyone of all your messages of support last night, it did the trick and by the time Lizzie and I came back from the Pizzeria, I had my team mate back!

All your support and the mere mention that Rich Munro would likely be wanting an explanation galvanised Stevie into action... Rich we may have taken your name in vain but it was all in a good cause, thanks mate!

Several good feeds a couple of massages and an early night, coupled with clear skies this morning and spirits were much lighter in the van this morning.

I'm down to my last 6 Pro-plus tablets so I donated todays ration to keeping Stevie up and running... For those of you that know Steve well... Can you imagine what he was like on the start line drugged-up on Pro-Plus and Ibuprofen!

Today was the last of the big climbing days another 3100m to get up and over. The roll out was fast with 5km downhill before hitting the first climb, steep and long, and halfway up we went straight through the centre of a tiny hamlet and single file through a steep,narrow tunnel/walkway between the houses, with what seemed like all of the locals above and below cheering us through.

The riding then became very much more "British" short steep climbs on singletrack with roots and mud... Stevie happy with this... Much less like yer foreign riding!

We were going well at last, moving forward and riding with a bunch of people that we haven't seen since stage 1.

Each day we head out with a bottle full of Zipvit juice, a couple of energy bars and 3 or 4 Gels. Its the first time I've really had an opportunity to try the full suite of Zipvit stuff and tell-you-what it sure works, not having too much trouble stomaching it either. Liking the bars too!

The last feed station was set right at the bottom of a spectacular part of the Dolomites. The route climbed up and through the most awesome rock architecture before dropping off the back down to San Martino.

A few k's of fast gravel led to a road of perfect tarmac and twisting hairpins before diving off the road and dropping straight down to the town through the local bike park.
5hrs 21mins ride time has brought us our best result, 28th on the stage that has moved us up to 35th Overall.

The bike is with the Shimano guys getting some new cable and the gears set-up again, 20 Euros but I expect well spent!

Longest stage tomorrow at 122km, I'll be donating my last Pro-plus again... Hope the sun still shines!!!