In our team meeting today before the start of the stage we decided that a breakaway was going to win and if so, it must have one of us in it. The other option was a sprint finish were we would work for Tyler.

Danny, Dave Z, Tom and I covered all the moves for the first 60 kilometers until the decisive break went. I was in it with three other riders. I wanted and tried very hard to be in the action today and once I was in the move of the day the team’s tactics were going to plan.

After reaching a maximum advantage of just over two minutes on the peloton, our break was pulled back in at the half way point of the bike race by the Katusha Team. The dream of riding in the break for the day was short-lived but I went down trying.

A solo attempt by a Spanish rider shortly after reached a lead of eight minutes. Tommy D and I pulled hard at the front to reduce the gap with our new goal of making it a bunch sprint for Tyler.

The whole team did an awesome job looking after Tyler and positioning him well for the finish. With a great sprint the result was second. A fantastic effort by all and one that we will take confidence in — it may help us on the next flat stage to grasp that elusive victory!

In the break