Track Training in Aigle Switzerland

It has been too long since my last post and I apologize. If I remember right the last time I posted I was getting ready to travel to Switzerland for the first time. Since then I have raced twice in Switzerland at Pays de Vaud and in Germany at Trofeo Karlsberg. Both races were extremely difficult. I never had a great result for myself but our team rode awesome. Lawson Craddock proved he is still one of the best time trialists in the world by winning all three TT's and finishing second at Pays de Vaud and first at Trofeo Karlsberg. Ryan Eastman, Anders Newberr, Nate Geoffrion, and Kristo Jorgenson also rode amazing by controlling the race at the front and helping Lawson keep his lead.

For the past five days Lawson, Ryan, Nate, Kristo, and I traveled back to Aigle Switzerland to train on the UCI velodrome, focusing on team pursuit. For those who are not familiar with the team pursuit, it is a 4 kilometer team event consisting of 4 riders that starts from a standing start. The five of us have varying levels of experience on the track, so the first two days mainly consisted of exchanges, pacing, and riding tight. We have all greatly improved since the first day and are able to ride much more as a team. It is amazing what five days of practicing together can do.

Outside of the velodrome the six of us, including Ben Sharp, have ridden some killer roads. On Wednesday we rode up the mountains that line the valley to the resort town of Torgon. The climb was 13 kilometers of perfect pavement and gradient. I have never been on a road that was quite like this one. The road switched back and forth up the mountain with herds of cows (complete with cowbells), sheep, and vineyards on either side. However the best part was the view of the valley below. After 4000ft of climbing the world starts to get very small.

We have one more day of riding left before we pack up and leave for the U.S. If it works out it looks like we might ride along lake Geneva to Geneva, because that is where we are flying out of Sunday. I am looking forward to going back home, but I am going to miss Switzerland. They may have a lot of rules and high priced food, but where else can you wake up, look outside, and be surrounded by snow capped mountains. I will definitely have to return.