ISDE-GRANADA, SPAIN-DAY THREE

Greetings from Spain. I will be brief tonight, so I can get some rest and stay in this thing three more days! It was a rocky day today and long. The first day on the new course (the first two days they ran us on the same course) was challenging. The weather was good today, but they say tomorrow, for day four, it will be another rain filled day. I?m still in it and I?m still alive.

I showed up to impound for the ten minute work period and I had a flat tire. Evidently I had pinched a tube. So, I pushed the bike into the work area and I put a new tube on the rear. It took me the full ten minutes, pushing through all the people and all the bikes. I pushed up to the starting line and I had ten seconds. It started on the first kick and I left. I thought everything was fine. When I got the results at night I had a ten minute penalty. It is very odd. Chances are they marked me as a late start. The way the rules work if you go through a check a minute late you get a minute added on to your schedule at all the following check points. If you stay on your original time you are penalized. I appealed and am waiting to hear back. Today was a hard overall ride, like they promised, but more even. It was difficult all through the day whereas days one and two were difficult in different areas. You get to these little areas and you can see all the riders and you attack for the first few stair steps. At some point you take a couple of dabs and fly off the bike and rocks go tumbling down the hill at other riders etc. Luckily, all those sections were short on day three. Trophy Team Update:Finland lost a rider on day one and since they take your five best times for the team they were still in it. But, today they lost another rider, so they are out for the team overall.
Disqualification Hysteria: They are going disqualification crazy. People are worried about getting disqualified because of the outside assistance rule. Noone can assist a rider. They can help you with fuel and oil, but that is it. Kurt Casseli the junior rider was doing well, but he broke a radiator and his dad helped him and an official saw that. John Beal is in trouble as well. They say someone oiled his chain, it was appealed and it was turned down. He didn?t see anyone oil his chain but he?s out. There are two junior riders left and the crowd favorite is Cody Mastin. He has the best attitude in the world, but he?s not riding very well.The fans love him.
I?m still in it and running on Silver Medal status. I hope tomorrow goes well.

Food note:Tapas are not the same thing as Tacos. Remember that next time you are in Spain. And, if you want to get something to eat, allow yourself four to five hours to finish a meal.

Hasta Luego,

Ron Lawson