Stage 6 - Arrival in Spain: triumphs and challenges

Hard data of the day
 

Day: Thursday 9 May 2024
From: Peralada 
To: Sant Feliu

# kilometers: 116km 
# altimeters: 1371m
# flat tyres: 0

Hero of the day

Our hero of the day is Koen’s daughter Laura who came to support her father on this journey.

Trivia of the day
 

Spontaneously Fred VT exposed his DJ skills and accompanied the food with music that made the strings of pasta dance. Fred, you deserved the medal of the trivia of the day.

Story of the day
 

Yesterday afternoon we arrived at the hotel on Spanish soil. We were welcomed by Kortweg who prepared delicious wraps.

The Golf Resort Hotel Perelada was a wonderful venue. Under the leadership of Axel B. some of us even went to play golf for some time.

The dinner was superb and the wines where delicious. After dinner some people remained in the bar to discuss the tactics of today. As a reporter it was my duty to stay with them, one never knows if there is news to gather.

I noticed during the past few days some contradictory cycling wisdoms bubbled up. Every day someone confided me a wisdom. We started our journey on Saturday and on Sunday someone told me that the second day was the worst, on Monday someone else disclosed the third was the worst, and so on…. This morning I arrived at breakfast, assuming to learn the sixth day was the worst one. To my big surprise everyone was very eager to start cruising towards Sant Feliu. Two fellow cycling partners didn’t feel well but they both (Vincent F. and Nicolas VH) decided to start after a few motivational words of Christophe DW. They both succeeded! Well done guys!

We started our journey (group Gonzales at 8:45 am and group Speedy Gonzales at 9:15 am). We planned a ride of 116 km and 1371 altitude meters. The weather was good and Jan showed up in cycling outfit.

It was clear Koen VD’s legs were good, he was very motivated to co-lead the peloton. After 25 km’s Koen passed the baton to Christian C.. Having co-led the peloton for a full 300m Christian was misled on the track. In the U-turn unfortunately a collision between two riders occurred which resulted in a nasty crash of Christian C. We were able to nurse poor Christian and we could continue our journey.

Sitting on the terrace, with a view on the bay, I was writing my report. The image of the crash remained in my retina, Christian’s desperate scream, the flying attempt and finally the motionless person on the ground.

I did some web research and finally I found a video of Christian’s predecessor, I’m talking ‘bout football player Neymar. Because of the quality of his performance I decided to give a special medal to Christian being the actor of the day.

After the long and steep climb we had lunch with a wonderful view at Els Angels. Thanks Kortweg for chosen this place. Our fellow cycling partner Els VP was over the moon for your attention to her.

We cruised towards our destination of the day. Still one hurdle to overcome. A long climb called Romanyà de la Selva. As told before Koen VD was very motivated today. A cycling expressing says ‘he kicks in the butter’.

Cycling success is not always measured by physical power but also by intelligence and momental insights. Koen hid himself in the front of the bunch. A fellow cycling partner summarized Koen’s position in the bunch as follows “Koen is cycling as if he is being sucked into a vacuum’. Due to the fast pace various rides were ruthlessly kicked out of the leading pack. 200m before the top of the climb Koen attacked, supported by an army of fans and admirers. Except a fruitless attempt no one was able to counterattack. 

Our hero of the day is Koen’s daughter Laura who came to support her father on this journey.

We arrived safely in Sant Feliu. Again at arrival we were spoiled by Kortweg with a nice pasta. 

Spontaneously Fred VT exposed his DJ skills and accompanied the food with music that made the strings of pasta dance. Fred, you deserved the medal of the trivia of the day.

Looking forward to the final ride tomorrow. 

Dirk