Sardegna day 1 and 2

[Marcus]

Day 1 - 150 kms with 1800 vertical. Called sard flats. It was hard. John's foot locked up 2 days prior so he had some difficulty. I managed to pick up strep throat from the plane, so we had our challenges beyond being slow on the hills normally. I think I was 5 th last only 2 hours and 15 minutes back! average speed a painfully slow 25 kms per hour. We have decided to fire Barton as our coach because those 400 kms didn't do anything. Next year we're hiring Mark Ford. John and Dave rode over about 2 minutes later but they were working on the timing mat and their time was not recorded. Rode the ITT today and came 8th last. John and Dave were concerned that I would destroy them so they left some gear at the previous night's hotel and went back to pick it up rather than ride. Now I sit second last overall, 5 minutes ahead of the maglia near and 16 minutes behind my closest adversary. Hopefully the anti-biotics kick-in and tomorrow is better.