Is blue the new white?

So week 2 and a change of cast, some absent through choice, some not and others well....they just haven’t trapped yet.

Cippo chose not to, Lance had no choice, Hincappie developing the label, Evans still unaccounted for, Queally, anyone know what he looks like and Menchov, well perhaps he fell on the way to the Grande Depart.  Guesting for the night Nicolas Roche aka Crawford.  The rest of the cast remained constant with Voigt back in the fold. 

It was a night to remember more for the weather than the riding with the sun splitting the sky and a pack of 12 riders turning up.  This soon increased to 13 when Pooley joined the bunch in Renfrew.  A plethora of G3R and Rapha was on show with a few schizophrenic riders sporting a combination of Fusion and G3R and nothing wrong with that.

Father of the night (Pozatto) gave an impromptu motivational speech, calling us to arms and assuming the mantle that once was held so tightly by Lance but one could sense his grip slipping in his absence.

And so after the call to arms the bunch departed much enthused by a De Niro like performance by Pozatto, "inch by inch".  A gentle roll out to Bishopton was done in a convivial manner interrupted only by the occasional “Spell” shouts to remind riders that they were in a bunch.  The first yellow card of the night was awarded to Vino for performing stretches in the middle of the bunch that nearly took out two riders in the middle of the bunch. 

Rule # 3 – Stretches are performed off the bike - not on it.

Rule # 4 – Hand signals – important in the bunch. Please perform early.

As the altitude dropped the speed increased as the bunch descended towards the Westferry in preparation for the attacks.  So as not to disappoint and in an effort to “thin” the bunch Voigt attacked only to be chastised by Pozatto where he reminded him that it was only week 2 and to go easy.  Schleck followed his wheel as if he was on a Sunday ride, Cancellara jumped and then the bunch followed.  An altercation at the rear with a large lorry went largely unmissed but we should all remember we are sharing a busy road on the Ferry and that safety is the primary concern.  The attacks soon thinned the bunch with Voeckler, Schleck, Roche, Cooke, Pozatto, Ullrich and Voigts all coming through to the final turn for the climb (lactic may have harmed the writers memory, if the bunch isn't accurate post a comment).

The climb = rest, the rouleurs took advantage of this and brought up the rear. 

The final leg of the ride was completed by 12 riders although the attacks came early and selection was made in the run through Kilmacolm. Voeckler was riding strong, Schleck continues to find good form but I sense the young rider was feeling the pace as he dwelled in the odd wheel.  Vino made the selection for the first time and stayed until the end. Cooke was riding like a train and performing long pulls. Pozatto was dogged on his winter steed and will need to unleash the carbon to get the jump next week.  Young Roche seemed strong and had good form without demonstrating his apparent love for lactic whilst Voigts hung on for dear life. 

The two sprints were taken by Voigts, more by experience and guile rather than speed but a wins a win!

As for blue or white, we used to fear white vans, Lance got hit by a blue one, get well soon and hope to see you all next week.  Please note attacks are permitted.