So it happened AGAIN.
We can blame the fraudulence, we can blame fatigue, we can praise the scorching heat, but the truth is it's simply not enough. Wattage, determination, you name it, it all stinks.

I don't even know what happened, compared to last week's race, it was night and day. Even when I was riding to the the start, some 15 km, my HR was already much higher than normal, 140 in Z2, get out of here. I blamed the nervousness after witnessing many a life ending injuries just a week ago, I don't know. The nervousness was around me, only one chill was sir Wiggo shooting up a line behind porta poties, 

Then it started, I don't think I even went that hard. I saw some deaths on tram lines (as is tradition) but then came first climb. I rode it as hard as during recon and felt alright but then we entered open fields with no shade and I just exploded. Did all the 2018 parade. 2eme, 3eme, 4eme pelotons, you name it, were sprintings by and couldn't even get onboard. While HR still rocket high for the low watts

I will have to consult with the team and the coaches but the fact is Bert BERTACEK once AGAIN failed to perform on a BIG day.

P.S. I had 0 (nada) protein bars too, only two gels and some proper energy bar before start