Greetings from the Giro!

Hi guys,

It’s been way too long since I have been in touch with you, for which I can only apologise. Since talking last I have gotten over my virus which hampered my 2010 season and am back getting towards my best for my new RadioShack team. I write on the second rest day here in what’s been a crazy Giro d’Italia so far.

Yesterday I got myself involved in the 18 man breakaway, I had highlighted Stage 15 in particular as one which suited me, with 5 categorised climbs that suit my style. It was without doubt one of the hardest days I have ever had on a bike, early on in the day my RadioShack teammate “Poppo” or Yaroslav Popovych clipped off with 6 other riders and I got myself into a strong chasing group which included Garzelli, Di Luca and a few others big hitters and within no time at all we were across to the lead group on the road and got to work quickly.

Clouds loomed on the horizon and the gap went to almost 10 minutes at one point, it was nice to be back in the midst of the action again.

Garzelli and Nieve left the group in pursuit of Hoogerland who had attacked on his own, and they pass him and would hold off everyone including Alberto. I myself hung in there and came over the line 14th, cold and tired as the heavens opened up with about 20km to go. Today is another well deserved rest day, morale in the camp is high as our team-mates have had a great week over at the Amgen Tour of California, Levi and Chris had a great week with Team RadioShack occupying the top two places on the podium. Last week here in Italy both Popo and Fumi Beppu were involved in long breakaways groups.

The legs here are feeling “good”, I hope to get myself into a move again this week and am now looking forward to getting to Milan, thanks for all the kind words of support on facebook and to the fan

s on the road who were shouting yesterday, it helped! This has been an interesting Giro and it’s a crazy race, beautiful but crazy… The finishes have been hairy, the climbs cruel!

Anyway, I am off for some pasta and a massage, the form is improving over the course of this race and I hope to be able to capitalise on all these racing miles in June, nothing brings you around like a Grand Tour.

Outside of this I’m looking forward to coming home for the Giant’s Causeway Sportive on Sept 17th, see the link below and get involved, it should be a fun day out in the stunning Glens of Antrim, I just hope the weather’s better than it was yesterday - : 

http://www.giantscausewaycoastsportive.com/