We catch up with Daryl on the morning of the first ‘proper’ mountain stage. As a sprinter heading into the mountains, what’s going through his head?
- Daryl Impey
On the morning of the first mountain stage I can confirm that my legs are not looking forward to what lies ahead. It’s been 10 days since the last “rest day” and actually most of us are just counting down the days ’till Mondays “rest day”. It’s really not a rest but any down time at this stage is something to look forward too.
Yesterday our plan was again for Goss and I think we did a great lead out. We had tweaked our leadout train and we got the distance right this time but unfortunately Goss was still a bit blocked up from the
crash and ran a little short at the end. It’s important we try and win, but it’s always hard to beat Cav. We definitely have the speed to come over Sky and I think we’ve proved throughout the Giro that at the Tour de France we will be a force to be reckoned with.
My crash on stage 11 has made my breathing difficult but my recovery seems to be slowly getting better. The next 2 days are all about survival for me and then I am targeting stage 16. I really think with great legs I can be up there at the finish.
The best of the Giro is probably the starts, we’ve been to some amazing places and even though we don’t get to appreciate it, the riders’ village certainly makes up for it. It gives us just as chance to feel
normal before the chaos begins, have a coffee, catch up with some mates (I’m always having a laugh with Robbie and a couple of the Aussies), read the newspaper or just sit and relax. We spend so much time travelling so it’s nice to soak up the sun for a bit. Although the race is about to get cooler, we’re expecting snow in Cervinia today so that should throw a spanner in the works.
The Giro is starting for the GC guys, meanwhile some of us (myself included) it’s about surviving the climbs and picking one or two more days for a result in either a breakway or small bunch kick.
- Daryl Impey
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