HappyMartin

Flew to Italy via Istanbul on Air Turkey. Cost R2100 each way per bike. It was worth it

Man but I have been heavy on the like button since Daryl took yellow!

You don't get to be a competitor without being a bit fiery and that goes triple for sprinter temperament. Cav chucking his toys after the adrenaline dump of a crash, solo chase back and then sprint is the nature of the game. If he was an " Oh well no worries" kind of guy he wouldn't have all the wins he does. Sure he chucked his toys but he said nice stuff about Daryl afterwards. He was also very friendly in the midst of the 2011 Tour to a mates young sons. One of which is now representing SA at junior track worlds in a months time.Good enough for me.

Today is going to be riveting. Anyone wants me to do anything this afternoon is in for a big disappointment. Now where is that yellow shirt?

@MarkCavendish: Really nice to see @darylimpey in the yellow jersey! Proper nice guy. Always friendly. Always working hard. The above very complimentary tweet from Cav.

Come on everyone. Wear yellow tomorrow in support of this great achievement.

I would go spend a bit more money at Tonys shop but he has all my money already. I basically just give him my pay every month. What a magic day. I am so happy for the whole family and all the people that work in the shop. So many people supporting and rooting for Daryl for so long. Even stars like Robbie Hunter.

Daryl is no slacker on climbs. Not a specialist like Contador but he climbed very well in I think it was the Tour of Oman at the beginning of the year. Tomorrow will be a cracker

Man that's amazing. How happy must Tony and Ellie be right now! And his brother Grant. Fantastic

I think people are spending too much time checking out what each other are wearing and riding. I notice a guy with blue kit or perhaps the twitchy guy with the red helmet. Reading logos and trying to decide who is a poser and who isn't doesn't cross my mind. I'm usually trying too hard to keep up before being shelled in a road race or tripped up on a technical section of a MTB race. I seriously don't care what you are wearing or what races you have done. I assume everyone else is as indifferent to my achievements and clothing. Didn't know I was being watched and judged. Now I'm feeling self conscious.

After 4 stages. No prologue this year. I think that's how it works?

How cool for Daryl

This riding with a fractured pelvis story does my head in. My wife broke her pelvis in a cycling crash a few years back. She is no sissy but I can tell you she was in a lot of pain. How hard are these guys? Makes me dislike football all over again.

I am a firm Sagan fan but in this instance I had no choice but to celebrate him not winning.

Sagan sure is good but you have to admit Dale that Impey and Gerans put one over him and his team today. Quality racing

How was Daryl's lead out? Robbie Hunter said he is one of the best in the business

Is it just me or is Little Tommy the most irritating person ever seen on a bicycle?

I head to Suikerbos. I tell myself I will just chill and check out the animals. End up burying myself. In fact I think I will go tomorrow. Do a double loop. Not much going on in the morning so why not

In the book " The sheltering dunes" about 2Germans hiding in the Namibia to escape a POW camp during the war they talk about there cravings for fat. How eating lean meat for long periods made them fantasize and dream about fat.

You'll always want another bike.

Thanks V12 man. Started learning about coffee a few years back. A friend got on my case about my instant coffee habit. Started with a plunger, then a 1k machine, then a Breville which is now finished. I'm simply not ready for a 70K machine but I am ready for a12K machine with a good grinder. It's been a fun journey and its not over. Thanks for the help and advice.

Hmm. Bitten off more than I can chew then. My wife would have a fit. Oh well one day.

Daryl Impey listed as 4th in the GC. Nice!!

Any group buy at the moment I am interested V12. I am in big trouble this side

Yes, sheep are real slow. I grew up in rural KZN and have some experience with them. They are way brighter than chickens though. This is a bit of a hijack but anyway a funny story. My wife shows me this picture of a Eskimo looking bloke on a iceberg. He has a spear thing stuck through some or other sea mammal and he is dressed in a polar bear. Looks like he ripped the insides out of the bear and then put the thing on. His legs are in the back legs of the bear if you know what I mean. The ice is covered in blood and gore all around him. My wife says check out your family member. I am in immediate denial and then she shows me his name. Kristiansen. My surname. So that's my family. No getting around it. Sorry about the hijack folks. Oh and hanks for coming back htone.