'Dale

Do not speak bad of yourself. For the warrior within hears your words and is lessened by them. - Old Japanese Samurai proverb

He goes again! Lachlan Morton is back home in Australia, readying himself for another adventure. On September 5, the 32-year-old will begin ‘The Lap, a 14,200-kilometer attempt to circumnavigate the country by bike in record time. Morton will attempt to break the Around Australia Record, which stands at 37 days, 20 hours, and 45 minutes. To go faster, Morton will need to ride about 400 kilometers per day. He will start and end in his hometown of Port Macquarie, New South Wales.

RULE 17: Team kit is for members of the team. Wearing Pro team kit is also questionable if you're not paid to wear it. If you must fly the colours of Pro teams, all garments should match perfectly, i.e., no Mapei jersey with Kelme shorts and Telekom sokkies. Sauce: www.velominati.com

The remarkable story of the other class act who has no factory racing sponsorship and yet defies gravity with podium performances. I wish that she receives so many 2025 offers that she has so much leverage to take her career forward to even higher levels. Great pic.

Pablo Castrillo (EKP) becomes the first Spanish rider to win two stages in one Vuelta since Alberto Contador 10 years ago. Roglič penalised 20 seconds for drafting team car for a little too long. This places him just over a minute back from the red jersey. Week 2 completed. Week 3 is going to be so intense, especially the podium battle for 1 and 2.

U23 rainbow jersey winner. Elite rainbow jersey winner. The man is class. Pic: @CannondaleMedia

A controversial mountain top finish with ramps of more than 20% and the highest point of the Vuelta. Could this be the day where Ben loses the leader's jersey - quite likely.

DNS for me as Jonah’s flu gogga broke through my defenses. This fever is making my head feel like an old bruised watermelon. Staying over in Franschoek last night makes for a new adventure without two wheels and some family quality time. Have a great ride, Peeps! 🫵🏽

Quite a bit of sleep debt, ‘n bietjie undertrained, inexperienced on the dikwiel over more than 4 hours. Bring on the adventure! 🫵🏽

The splendid Kasia, who hasn’t won a race for many seasons and then won Gravel Worlds rainbow, a freezing Flèche Wallone, and the maillot jaune in 2024. What a cool human being too. ”Even when Demi beat me by 30 seconds in the time trial, I knew it was gonna be okay. I was able to redirect my negative thoughts and focus on…”

Good question, Bruuu. Fortunately, I still have two Cannondales. 😉

Reinforced quite a bit with the Aeroad 4. And I am 68 kgs, so should super aero tuck with confidence. See Sagan, Richmond World Champs winning move. 😶

Whhooosssshhhhhh

Let the tapering begin.

Monday Motivation: Remember that failure is not the opposite of success; it’s a stepping stone to success.

End of an era. Next year: WorldTour

Ben’s biggest challenge is to end on the podium in 2 weeks, not win the race. Being an endurance climber whose profile is not suited to 15% gradient goat paths which is a common feature at the Vuelta, he must try to stay in his own rhythm and pace, and not follow Primož and other punchier GC rivals. Regardless, he became a dad in the European summer and his incredible heist of the red jersey are probable two of his biggest achievements in life. After dropping 40+ seconds to the race favourite yesterday, today’s stage will reveal quite a bit of Ben’s ability to stay with one foot on the podium. UAE has an opportunity to win all the Grand Tours in 2024 after Vlisma’s achieved this feat in 2023. However the team is far less potent without the charismatic Pogačar and is struggling with battle-weary personnel. Mas is looking sharp and is currently the last man on the wheel of the feisty Roglič. Today is in the Sierra Nevada mountains where many altitude training camps are organised. It’s gonna be a dramatic battle amongst the mountain goats before the rest day.

Your health is your wealth.

Dankie, Skubarra I promised myself more adventures in the saddle. So, upgraded the Scalpel with cartoon hoops. No race mode for me, otherwise, I would've not taken a broodmes to a Jedi sword fight. The long-term weather forecast is looking good for next weekend.

The highest rain digits in the Western Cape for the month of July since the 1950s or something. I plan to be at the Race2Sea, my first ever mountain bike event, and the route was shortened by about 10 kms due to flooded or flood damaged gravel roads about halfway between Franschoek and Hermanus.

The power couple in Gravel Racing : “wearing jockies under his chamois… and low socks…”

Demi to FDJ, I think? Pauline to Vlisma Anna returns to SDWorkx 2025 GC contest is gonna be very intriguing

29er upgrade imminent

One day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted. Do it now. —Paulo Coelho

It takes me a bit more than 4 seconds to take a soulful sip from my morning coffee. What beautiful racing. 📸: @charlylopezph