May 8, 2007 — After finishing up in Liège, half of the team was on a plane for Switzerland and the start of the Tour de Romandie – a five-day race in the Alps and Jura mountains.

I went into the race motivated and feeling good despite a crash at Flèche Wallonne. My form was improving and I always feel good when I get on the Swiss roads where I started my career as an amateur ten years ago.

The race went fairly well, for me, despite a bit of bad luck: I crashed in the field sprint one stage and had mechanical problems just before the final decisive climb of the race. The results weren’t there but I was content with my legs and overall feelings on the bike. The team didn’t have much luck either as our team leaders Michael Rogers and Sergey Honchar both got sick and had to stop.

As a result of Sergey’s ill health I will now be starting the Giro this weekend. It was a bit of a shock to learn that I will spend another three weeks racing but with good fitness I will hopefully have some prime opportunties and with a little break after I will have the legs I need to ride well in the Tour de France come July.