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A new start: The Tom Danielson diary 2005
After his ill-fated stint with Fassa Bortolo in 2004, likable American climbing specialist Tom Danielson looks to have found a more conducive home for 2005 with Lance Armstrong's Discovery Channel team. Follow his diary on Cyclingnews as he rides alongside the Boss as part of Discovery's ProTour arsenal.
Stage 3 - Wednesday, March 9: Thiers - Craponne-sur-Arzon, 118 km
Worse weather & climbing well
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Today was probably the worst weather we have seen here so far. Normally, I think they would not hold the race. Starting at 300 meters with wet roads, icicles everywhere, and temperature -2 C we thought it was not possible to start. Especially since the last half was all above 1000 meters. But, we did start and we did 120 km all out. The ride of the day at Discovery goes to Popo again for going in a breakaway and staying away until 10 km to go despite a ferocious three-team chase. The whole team looked the best in the peloton today which was nice to see all eight of our guys in the first 20 going over the cat 1 climb at the end. I felt good today and on the cat 1 climb climbed well within myself only following attacks when more then five guys responded. Each time I felt very good and really enjoyed it. Being on this team with these guys, especially Lance is great for my morale and I am really enjoying myself out there. Even when I cannot feel my face or extremities!
Kristin my wife is back in Durango and ready for her assault in the NRC's. I won't give away any secrets, all I am saying is she has been working hard. I am very proud of her and I admire her as an athlete not only as my wife.
Before I go to massage, I just want to add in a little about Lance. Of course he is my idol, but spending more time with him I really admire him as a person. A fighter on the bike, off the bike he spends every second on something else. He really gives a lot of his time to make the sport better, meeting and talking with numerous people involved to make cycling better for those who follow him. In addition, while we are sleeping, he still is up on the phone working on things for the cancer community. It truly blows me away where he gets all his energy and how each involved he is making other people's lives better. As if all he has done isn't enough, he is still hard at work to make sure those benefit in the future both in the cancer community and in cycling.
Well, that's enough for now, but we'll see what excitement comes our way tomorrow.