Daryl thought it was the end of the road for him yesterday on the Tourmalet. “I was that messed that I couldn’t even get anything out my pockets, caked in sweat and in the hurt locker.”
- By Daryl Impey
After yesterday’s stage I tweeted “One of the hardest days EVER, EVER! I hope that is my “bad” day”. I thought it may be a good idea of describing to all what I mean by “bad day”. Stage 16 was not the stage to have one and as it turned out, it was. It was a nightmare for me.
We started the race going really fast and once we got over the first mountain, I knew I was in trouble for the Tourmalet that was coming up next. As soon as we hit the bottom I was in trouble and I started sliding backwards through the group. I tried everything from gels to cokes and every bit of food I could find. Nothing, and I mean nothing was helping. My legs were just empty and it felt as if I couldn’t scratch myself if I tried. I got dropped really early on and tried to ride my own tempo but I couldn’t even find something comfortable. Luckily there were 10 guys behind me and Tyler Farrar was driving that group. I pleaded with him to slow down by 1km/hr and he was a legend, he slowed down and we soldiered on. Eventually we did a mad descent and caught another 20 guys and that’s where I stayed for the whole day. I was in big trouble, there were some guys just taking it easy and riding a tempo that put me on the limit. I was that messed that I couldn’t even get anything out my pockets, caked in sweat and in the hurt locker. We also had the worry of the time cut but a couple of guys were asking and because I was that buggered I just kept saying we are ok, even though I didn’t even know what it was or if we even were ok. I just did it to slow them down a fraction. We managed to make it well within the time limit but I honestly thought I was going home on the Tourmalet. I was hanging on so badly it felt as if I was suffering for the win, but it makes it harder when you know it’s not. Haha. So that was the bad day.
Today, was like night and day compared to yesterday. I felt much better and managed to get through the day really easily. Ok, the start was hard but I was never in real difficulty so I think the rest day could have played a part in it. I think my body was in shut down mode and all I needed was a bad day to remind it that we are still at a race. Today there were a few people like I was yesterday and I could only feel sorry for them. It’s amazing how far we have all pushed ourselves so far.
I know Paris is not far and all your comments and messages have definitely lifted my spirits, so thank you. Yesterday was the worst day of my life but I definitely felt a lot of encouragement from everyone back home. It’s gonna be another long one tomorrow and I am sure many of the sprinting teams will be interested in doing something, so it should be a bunch kick and we’ll be giving our all for Gossy.
Now we are on the way to our hotel where we will have a massage and then some dinner. It’s the same routine everyday. All of our guys are still in high spirits and we are all having a good laugh at dinner. All the ingredients are there for tomorrow and Sunday, now let’s hope it all comes together for us.
I still love this race even if it’s hurt like hell and some times you just want it to end but that’s what makes it so special and I know the end is near and it will all be worth it.
Oh and have a look at the Orica-GreenEDGE backstage passeseveryday during the TDF. They are quite amusing and give you a good idea of how the team is run. You can watch them here.
Have fun and thanks for reading.
Daryl Impey
Riding his first Tour de France, Daryl is only the third South African ever to have raced at the Tour. He will be blogging exclusively for Bicycling for the Tour’s duration. Log on daily for his blogs from inside the peloton and behind the scenes in France. Follow him on twitter @darylimpey
Hey Daryl
You’ve got this far hang in there as we are all very PROUD of you! Uithouer wen! Your blogs are such an inspiration for us plebs at the back of the peleton, even though its been freezing cold here we’re on our bikes getting ready for summer. Hang in there and bring that medal home.
I’m sure that the Olympic road race will be a breeze compared to what you have achieved in the last three weeks!
KEEP IT UP DARYL – SO PROUD OF YOU OUR SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR DE FRANCER !! I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT THE TOUR DE FRANCE BUT MUST SAY I MISS THE DAYS WHEN LANCE WAS RIDING – HE WAS SO EXCITING TO WATCH. WHO KNOWS ?? ONE DAY YOU COULD BE LIKE HIM – LIKE RUNNING COMRADES IT IS A BRILLIANT ACHIEVEMENT JUST TO START THE TDF AND WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT WHEN YOU FINISH – VASBYT !! AND GOOD LUCK FOR THE LAST KMS FROM AN AVID TDF FAN IN CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA
You have guts and we are right behind you to the finish line. Wish I was there because the countryside is awesome. All of the best.
I think we need to have really bad days so that we know when we are having really good days. But true to your word – you never gave up – that makes you our hero and winner.
We are with you all the way!
Glad your bad day is behind you. Funny, from an armchair spectators point of view stage 17 looked more difficult! Just goes to show. At least stage 18, although a long one, is heading toward Paris. Keep going, the end is in sight.
Then the preparation for the Olympics start! No rest for the professional cyclist!
What an Fantastic experience for you to be in the famous Tour de France – for years i’ve been following it and i just love it!!
I take it your dad is Toni Impey? he also was a very good cyclist – he and my brother Theuns Mulder, Ertjies Bezuidenhout, Robbie and Mark and Gary Beneke was at the same time doing the Rapport Tour! He must be very proud of you!!
Enjoy the last few days!!
Zunette
What an Fantastic experience for you to be in the famous Tour de France – for years i’ve been following it and i just love it!!
I take it your dad is Toni Impey? he also was a very good cyclist – he and my brother Theuns Mulder, Ertjies Bezuidenhout, Robbie and Mark and Gary Beneke was at the same time doing the Rapport Tour! He must be very proud of you!!
Enjoy the last few days!!
Zunette
Daryl
You are the only Saffer left in the TDF. Hang in there for all of us. You have been inspirational and all of us back home are extremely proud of what you have achieved so far. Your good days are coming again! Go for Paris!
This is the ultimate bike race, and it comes at a huge cost, both physically and mentally. You have earned our deep respect and accolations Daryl, both as an exceptional cyclist and as an outstanding person. Being either is great, but having both qualities puts you in a class of your own. The tour’s experiences will be with you for a lifetime, no doubt you will relive both the good and the tough.
Proud to see a fellow SA’can mixing it with the best and emerging in the top!
PS Min dae – Paris is calling!
Hello Sir,
I am so proud of you and the efforts that you have put forth thus far. What makes a champion is one who understands that not every day is going to be the best day, but it is those days that it is not, that you keep on going and going as hard and strong as you can. A true champion you are, be proud and hold you head up high, you so deserve it.
Respectfully yours,
Yehuda
Son,you really,reall make me proud!
Sunday is around the corner and will be nailed infront of the television, routing for you!! You make us all so proud to be South African! All the best!