Hangover with ACDC and Chris Froome

After winning the League Cannock RUFC celebrated long and hard last night. Unfortunately the CCCP had a morning ride planned. Something had to give - I had back trouble, couldnt get off it basically - and it resulted in a Red arrows like individual display by Scissorhand John, Happy Moorey and the Yellow Jerkey. 3 miles into my ride I bumped into John who was on his way back home. Moorey who had managed to get out of bed some 45 minutes before me, had set off on his own as well - I had hoped to catch up with him on the ride, but it never happened. No sign of the little Bear, The Axeman, Chesh, Bullshit Dave or new recruit Dufty (The buffet slayer)

Never the less the ride was fantastic, beautiful spring morning, loads of MAMILS out on the road and I had my music through one ear piece to keep me company. I have found that ACDC is probably the best band  to cycle to, although the Pretender by the Foo Fighters takes some beating when you are looking for some impetus up a hill.

Today also saw the climax of the Tour de Romandie - Chris Froome in yellow with just the Time Trial to go. I wasn't confident for him because I had put £20 on him to win last Wednesday and that usually means the kiss of death. My track record over the last month or so includes 3 fallen horses, one cyclist who broke a leg and collar bone, photo finish loss for Sagen on the Milan San Remo and Barcelona to win against Bayern Munich! (They lost 4-0 if you didn't know).

To my surprise Froomie did the business, after a hard fought day yesterday when he needed to go on his own to protect his position after team mates dropped away and the attacks came thick and fast. Spilak eventually took the stage win,  Froome content to let him as the GC contenders had given up the ghost.

This left todays TT which predictably was won by Tony Martin, but Froomie left nothing on the course and managed to take third. He began the stage with a comfortable 47-second advantage over second placed Simon Spilak (Katusha) and  extended his lead. Spilak rode to fifth on the day at 41 seconds to confirm his runner-up finish, 54 seconds down, with Rui Da Costa (Movistar) third. I watched all of this on a dutch internet channel! I'm now fluent!

So I am now celebrating my riches (Odds of 7-20) with a nice bottle of red while watching Toulon against Saracens in the Heineken Cup Semi Final. Going for Toulon myself. Which probably means the entire team will go down with food poisoning at half time. However I have to say, still cant see any Fly Half in the UK who's any better than Jonny Wilkinson.

I'll leave you with an ACDC classic - Its a long way to the top if you want to Rock n Roll baby!