G_N#2 Col de la Madeleine 2.000m

But as usual we started fully motivated into the day. Our guidin - nickname Sheriff - gave us a hard beginning in starting the race from km 1. As usual we followed and immediately after 5k we were splitted into 2 groups as navigation was not our strenght. The first possible junction and it was done - 2 groups ;-) - thats why the rider introduction is not complete looking at the stage pics.

Anyways it was no big deal as we met a few k´s in Ugine again and then harmonised to roll towards the highlight.

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We had a nice bike path from Ugine to Albertville the famous ski resort and the ride was in a human speed so we all spent some time to talk to each other. The weather was perfect again and it felt a bit like holiday.

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We came to Feissonnet from where it started. From the beginning of the climb we rode in little groups or alone to get as everyone tried to find his own rhythm. The goal was to reach the top and 21k is bit of a work. The first switch backs leveled us up before it went endless long into the valley. More and more we left the forrest and came to the open field.  Here also Martin waited kind of in the middle of the climb wit the picknick but most of us just passed him not to break the flow.

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The higher we came the more sun we got directly onto us. The challange now was to drink enough and to cool down with water puring over our heads. Don´t know if the boarder stones with the indication of the kilometers still to climb help or just frustrate. Nevertheless they are there and its pretty easy to count down and there is a lot of time to think.

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Finally we all made it and enjoyed the awesome view. We had time for a little break on the Col and some of us even brought their flip flops to relax their feet.

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The descent was great and the chance to get our first filming done to collect enough material for the big movie. Down at La Chambre it was not much left until we reach our day 2 destination - Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. Again strechting and relaxing was the plan before we went to dinner and filled our batteries again - day 3, the roof of the tour was waiting.
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bike: pretty Betty, Specialized Tarmac S-Works
starring: Jürgen Kern, Michi Wagenhofer, Martin Koroschetz, Christian Kux, Robert Walli, Ossi Wiesinger, Günther Klement, Harry Köll, Gerhard Bauer, Elmar Schamp, Gerry Samer and Guide-in Melina