As I watched Philippe Gilbert cross the finishing line on the Cauberg it struck me that perhaps we were not of the same species. A little under 24 hours previously I had made a similar journey up those final 900 metres. Philippe crossed the line and walked into the congratulatory arms of his team and suporters whereas I slumped on the side of the road and spent the next 15 minutes trying to keep 5 gels, 4 current buns, 1 Clif bar and 4 gallons of Isostar within the confines of my stomach! Nope Philippe and me are very different.

Welcome to the Amstel gold! As is traditional the Lee Green chapter of London Phoenix set out on Friday to conquer yet another Spring Classic. The usual contingent of Poles, Chinese, Aussies and Brits made a mockery of the no fly weekend and made it from SE12 to Maastricht in around 6 hours. Basically in time to carbo load on a few light breakfast lagers before bed. Turns out we were riding on tickets provided by the bananna sponsor which seemed kind of apt.

Saturday dawned bright but bloody freezing which was a challenge to those of us who had been deluded into thinking it was Spring. After all the tall tales from our new Dutch mates about the route we set about our job with enthusiasm. The facts we knew were 250KM with 3000M of climbing. The first loop is fast, very fast……..90K ish with about 500m of climbing. Almost like Essex…no problem. Second loop……about another 90K adding about 1000m of climbing…..still OK but there is something nagging in the back of my mind. Ah – thats it…we are on the 3rd loop we’ve done about 200K but only 2000m metres of climbing……there can’t possibly be 1000m of climing in the last 50K……can there?

There can and there is! One after another the various ‘bergs’ rear up. Aptly enough the Dutch word for gradient seems to be ‘Helling’ and now I know why. Cramping badly we crept over the Keutenberg which tops out at 22%. They put a video camera there to capture the European all comers gurning competition which is held at the top instead of a sprint!

Anyhow – it is a great event and very well organised. I dont think I’ll be doing it again though.

One last thing – if Richard Lam ever says to you something on the lines of “you won’t need a compact 53/39 will be fine” Just punch him very hard.