Touchdown Italy, Again
Started my last racing block for the year, with a slightly different goal.
My weekly posts slowly became by weekly and now they are basically monthly. In my
last post I shared how and why the last few weeks have been quite tough but I ended it in somewhat of a positive note about going to do my final racing block of the season in Italy. This time with the main goal of enjoying it and whatever happens, happens.
I insist (even though that some might think or believe otherwise) this approach doesn’t mean I care or want it any less. I’m training just as hard as always and to be honest, it’s easier to push yourself to the absolute limit in this mindset.
First Race Back
On Wednesday (26th of August), I raced my first race since May. My goal was to simply enjoy it, as I wrote probably too many times in my latest posts. I had a huge training block back home and I simply wanted to feel that racing feeling again, seeing what I’m capable of.
There were three climbs in this race in Tuscany, the third one ended right on the finish line. I got dropped, I came back on, I attacked and I actually had fun. I managed to be in the front group ahead of the final climb. Went as hard as I could and finished 15th. F*ck. Could've done a top 10 here. Maybe even win in the right circumstances. Frustration set in, and then I had to remind myself that my goal was actually achieved. Next race is in Saturday (the 30th of August), I’ll go race my bike, enjoying it and let’s see what happens.
The Ammazza Caffe Loop
I landed in Verona a week ago. I race here under the guidance of Valentina Scandolara, the director of the DUCA project, which I have previously explained about and that me and my friends raced with back in the spring block.
This time I’m here by myself, which means I get to do only the regional level races. A day after I arrived (Friday), I had a four and a half hour ride. I knew where I would go.
The Ammazza Caffe is a specialty coffee shop in Verona- where back in the spring I used to visit a lot with one of my friends. We used to do a four hour loop- climbing to a ski site nearby, then descend back to Verona, have a coffee and ride back home.
It’s hard sometimes to get a proper flat white in Europe, that’s why you need to look specifically for those specialty coffee shops.
Doing this loop comes with a catch- usually the weather up in the ski station isn’t good and you can end up freezing your way down to the coffee shop, all wet and shaking. (Well, that happened once… but it was really cold)
The coffee is worth it. though.
The barista remembered me, and actually asked about my coffee geek friend and why he didn’t come with me. I told him he joined his side… He became a barista as well.
A short one this time, but stay tuned, as I have my last seven race days left for the season.
As always, Thank you very much for reading this.
Until next time,
Yonatan
Thanks again for writing Yonatan. It's great to hear your updates. Keep working hard and having fun!