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Linda McCartney - Six Maniacs
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Ciaran Power - Amazing Ride
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As we edge ever closer to Milan, it is looking increasingly likely that the
Linda McCartney Foods Cycling Team will still have six members finishing the
Giro d'Italia on Sunday.
Ciaran Power has pulled out an amazing ride today in the French Alps. After a
frantic battle against the time limit in yesterday's summit finish at
Frabosa, there were worries around the McCartney camp that Ciaran may be too
exhausted for the demands of today's stage. The race was due to take in two
massive climbs as it crossed from Italy into France: the frankly monstrous
Colle dell Angello, towering over this race at 2700 metres, and the iconic
ascent of the Col d'Izoard.
Team leader Max Sciandri showed the way, first McCartney rider over the brow
of the Izoard, a little way behind the leaders but comfortably in front of
the big group of riders clubbing together to get through the stage. When that
group came through, it was a great relief to see Maurizio De Pasquale, still
wearing his characteristic white helmet despite the heat, leading the group,
and Bjornar Vestol, Tayeb Braikia and David McKenzie all in there. But where
was Ciaran? The McCartney supporters cast their eyes across the Casse Desert
moonscape that carpets the hard side of the Izoard, to the farthest stretches
of road visible, way back down the valley. A few figures could still be seen
struggling forlornly against the time limit, distant ants crawling across the
dazzling white landscape in the punishing sunshine. The worst was feared for
Ciaran, and as naked eyes and binoculars sought to identify the colours of
the stragglers from the heights of the mountain way above, there was suddenly
a huge shout of encouragement from the crowd swarming across the Izoard's
narrow slopes, and there he was. The 24 year old Irishman had pushed himself
beyond his supposed limits again, digging deep into unknown reserves, and
flew up behind the group. He was just behind them over the top, and easily
caught them on the descent, using his increasingly impressive bike handling
skills to finish with all the others in Briancon.
"That really was a great ride by Ciaran," said his manager Sean Yates. "He
only just made the limit yesterday after a storming climb, and I hoped that
he wouldn't be too tired for this, probably the hardest stage in the whole
race. And the way he came down the other side, I reckon I would have had
trouble keeping up with him, even when I was at my best!" A rare accolade
indeed, coming from the man renowned as the World's greatest descender in his
80's and 90's salad days.
But they're still waiting for the fat lady to pick up her skirts, waddle out
on to stage and belt out her favourite number, as the nasty mountain time
trial from Briancon back up to the ski-station at Sestrieres awaits them
tomorrow. With the overall outcome of this race still to be decided, the
leaders are certain to go hell for leather, and leave the rest of the field
needing an all out effort just to avoid elimination. "The mountain time trial
is one event that nobody can rest on," warned Sean. "If you don't ride to
your limit, there is every chance you will fall so far outside the winner's
time that you will be eliminated."
To finish six riders in Milan after beginning with just seven three weeks ago
in Rome would be an unbelievable achievement for the team. Many bigger teams
are down to two or three riders here, with Panaria only having one man left.
Kelme became the last team to lose one of their full complement yesterday.
It's brutal, and nobody who makes it to Milan will ever, ever forget the
experience. Report by John Deering |
