Here we go again...
Distance: 85.1 km
Vertical Metres: 2,939 m
Passes: Wurzjoch (1,992m), Furkelpass (1,763m)
Stage 3 Route Profile and Preview
Sunny morning...
After yesterday's weather, we were blessed with a beautiful day for the third stage. A hearty breakfast in the hotel and we were at the start in the main square in Brixen a little after eight which had us relaxing at the front of Pen C waiting for the 9am off
Würzjoch...
Pen C was released about a minute after Pen B and we crossed the start line at 9:04ish. The pace was pretty start from the start and we let those eager to hare up the valley go. We had a plan, and were not going to deviate from that at this stage. The pacing had seemed to be pretty good over the last few days but this was a shorter stage (estimate 4:15 today v 5:27 yesterday) and that meant options for going harder. With that in mind we had decided to climb at 260 watts (87%). And that is pretty much how the first climb panned out, the main part of the Würzjoch is the final 16k to the summit - which includes several 'bike path sections, through the forest, with stretches of 10-18% ramps (see picture). We kept plugging away, keeping the pace consistent, as we did a lot of the hares that had torn up the road early came back to us and I felt that we had held our own over the first climb (last 16k in 1hr 18 mins at 253 watts).
The decent of the Würzjoch, with the major challenge being the rutted road surface. Usually when negotiating alpine descents you like to chose your line based upon the bends, the rutts added to the challenge as you had to pick a line with an decent the road surface. Before the Furkelpass there were several smaller climbs linked together by descents through the forest. We kept the pace high, pushing-on wherever possible and were making progress passing other teams.
Furkelpass...
After the second feed of the day, all that remained was the top 10 kilometres of the Furkelpass and then the descent to St Vigil. I focused on the 10k, the descent would take care of itself once I had got to the top. I broke it down into sections - the climb was the equivalent to five 'Box Hills' all of 2k length and 120m asecent - every 2 kilometres I mentally chalked off another 'Box Hill'. Four to go, three, then two to go. Just 4k to the summit. Now we were above the tree and pushing into a headwind. Even the false flats required a full effort. Ever the while I was keeping my power at the 260w I had contracted with myself that morning. My legs were tiring, but my heart rate was remaining under control. There's the summit. 10k in 48 mins at 261 watts has seen us pass yet more teams.
Over the top and straight onto the descent - the last 5k will take just 6 minutes averaging 48 kph - and we are gunning for the finish.
Stats...
Totals ~ Duration: 4:20 ~ Riding: 4:18 ~ Dist: 85.7km ~ Elevation Gain: 2791mAverages ~ Speed: 19.8kph ~ Power: 220w ~ Heart Rate: 137 ~ Cadence: 68 ~ Temp: 20.4
Max ~ Speed: 75.0kph ~ Power: 833w ~ Heartrate: 153 ~ Cadence: 178 ~ Temp: 27.0C
Metrics ~ TSS: 289 ~ NP: 245w ~ IF: 0.817
Conclusions...
Stage 3 - Pos 239/606 teams (39th percentile). Overall - Pos 290/695 teams (42nd percentile). Result. A great day, and a great improvement. After the results from stages one: 346th (50%) and two: 313th (45%) really pleased with this move up the field, both in terms of the result on the day and on the overall leaderboard. What's more, we're be starting in pen B tomorrow...
Tomorrow...
Lined up for us tomorrow is a beut of a stage. At 85km it is very much a case of 'short and sweet' - as it includes two major climbs (Wurzjoch & Furkelpass) for 2,939 metres of climbing. Practically the same as today's 125km stage! Oh, and the rain seems to have moved on as the forecast is for warm & sunny.
Stage 4 Route Profile and Preview
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