Hi everyone,
If you're catching any of this on TV, we can tell you 'yes' it is cold and wet. Markus and I are in SD's Cobo's follow car. The conditions don't seem to slow him down much. He's kept a clean form through 20km and just keeps turning 'em over, flattening the rolling course. He just stopped the first time check for 24.20, top ten fast. He's now pinning through the small town after...it turns out that this is a superfast time...we'll see, the weather is turning and most of the spray is coming off the road onto our cameras now.
Well he's caught Triki Beltran - got it on video...- and is still on the rivet, which is driving our hosts David and Sabino nuts in here. WeKre in the descent before the cat 4 and it's cat and mouse between Cobo and the Liquigas veteran. Cobo wins out and we get the pass too.
Astana's Vino's just posted a blazing time at the first time check, so we'll see where we land, but Cobo's riding a fine race, no matter.
Heading under the 10 to go he's touching 67km/hr.
The final 2km's were nuts in the car as Cobo kept the pressure on the gas. I don't speak much Spanish, but it's clear these guys are pumped - Markus through some triple "Venga's" for good measure. His time will be in the 1:09's. Excellent!
A nice moment in this inaugeral Tour de Force. Thanks Cobo and Mauro for letting us along for the ride.
Alex & Markus
