Svein and the boys defended the GC today. One more day to go. We were confident and nervous for today. That's maybe the best way to be in bike racing, it keeps you on your toes but also kinda fearless. It's a wierd mental dichotomy to be in, and if there is any magic in cycling its having that state of mind and form. We now have one day to go.

We rolled the whole team at the front today. But we only used Pinner, Z-man and Randers for the first 110km. The young man rolled some, but we pulled him out to sit with Cam, Svein and Jake. The top GC guys didn't throw anything at us early, but a move did go early. We quickly assesed the numbers and it was safe to let it ride out. We didn't want it to get too far though as two riders in the break — Brouse, from A-Style, and Schillinger, from Sparkasse — were only 4:00 min and 4:23 back on GC. We wanted to keep that gap inside 3 minutes for the finale, and then we were counting on the inevitable volley of attacks from the GC guys to move it back further. We were content to let that move take the stage. We could care less about stage wins or stage podiums at this point. It's 100% for Svein and 100% for the GC.

With five laps to go Chaddy attacked. Cam had it covered super quick and then Svein moved over onto his wheel. Lapthorne, Colex, Aldape were all there. The move neutralized. And then, surprisingly that was it. By three to go the break was gunning for the stage Baumann and Schillinger were 4 mins up. We had to close down that gap, Zach and Randers put in one last dig on the run in to the climb and then Cam nutted it up the hill. Over the top the Young Man came through and rode crazy tempo for the rest of the race untill the final climb. Svein and Jake barely touched the wind today. Well, except for when Jake would go back to pickup up 8-10 water bottles in a go.

So, one more day. The team's on a high. Tomorrow is a beautiful stage and as much as people think its harder than today… we think it will be a bit easier to defend on. The course has longer straights along the top and bottom and it will be easier for the guys to get reorganized at the front after the climb. Sure the wind could be brutal along the bottom of the course, but that can be good too. The guys can line it out in the gutter-protecting Svein while just keeping it uncomfortably difficult and tense for the entire field behind. If it shakes out like today, it will be perfect. We're keeping ourselves nervous yet confident.