Stage 3 - Cramps, Courage, and Crosswinds

Hard data of the day 

Day: Tuesday 12 May 2026
From: Tudela

#Kilometers: 205 km
#Altimeters: 3100 m
#Average speed: About 22 km/h
#Wind: Headwind at the start, side and tailwind during the ride, storm wind in the second part, and rewind at the finish
#Weather: Rainy

Hero of the day

Tom BB.

Trivia of the day

The trivia of the day goes to Tom BB as well. Thanks to Joris B., we learned that when Tom checks in at a hotel in Spain, he introduces himself as Tom ban Boxtael — apparently the correct Spanish pronunciation.

Story of the day

Last night before leaving the hotel I witnessed an avoided scandal. It was really a close shave. Ine N. arrived in great distress in the hotel lounge. In her room she discovered that her laundry net contained men’s clothes. She was afraid a male fellow partner would appear at the start of the ride wearing a women’s sports bra. What happened? Ine was convinced she had taken the laundry net number 66 but she took 99. Luckily the 66 was still in the basket. Problem solved, Claire VB’s intervention is not needed.

We found a very nice restaurant. At first sight it was a restaurant with a factory look and feel. A big dog beyond the stairs was judging whether he let us in or not. Finally, he agreed.  

The first dish again contained Anchovies, Tom W. explained the fact that the Anchovies population in the sea can be considered as the cleaning team of the sea. This information puts David R’s altruistic gesture of yesterday in a little different perspective. 

All the food was splendid and timely, and we could go to sleep early as the queen stage of today lingered in our heads last night. 

The breakfast area opened at 6.30 am, no hoarding tourists this time. We met at the Golazo travel bus at 7.15 am. For a reporter this is the ideal moment to gather the information needed. 

The first guy who approached me was Fred DB, he told me in a convincing way that this day no reason to mention him in the blog as nothing special would happen. Point taken, Fred. 

I noticed Thomas C. had two rolls of duck tape, so, from a distance I watched curiously what he had up his sleeve. My first thought was that Thomas, being the new kid on the block, was eventually the fellow partner who dared to take the initiative to tape Ben V’s mouth shut. Even a bear can be shut down. 

But this was not the case, he intended to tape the bottom of his shoes shut so no water could infiltrate from that side. Innovation by junior partners in always challenged by the more senior partners. Christophe DW wasn’t convinced this would be helpful, the shoes would get wet anyway and the water cannot escape through the taped ventilation. 

Dear Christophe, even a senior partner sometimes needs some advice. I do agree with your analysis, but, …. Given the fact that Thomas C. is by far the best rider in this team, technology and science can help the others. If Thomas C’s shoes are filled with water, it will slow him down during the climbs.  

Someone asked Joris B. why he didn’t wear arm sleeves, Joris answered that even the smallest Vermarc sleeves slide of his arms. As I also embrace innovation, I think it’s wise to tape your arms with the leftovers of Thomas’ duck tape. 

It was clear there was some tension at the start of the ride. In the beginning of the ride no major incidents to report. There were some attack attempts during the morning, but they didn’t really get away. 

All of a sudden we felt some agitation in the group, on a decent Fred DB, yes, the one not to be mentioned in the blog, missed a turn and ended in a ditch. Luckily, as I already told the audience in the first blog, Fred’s well connected in the Leuven underground scene, so he could stay upright in the gutter. 

The writer of the blog was confronted with cramps in the legs and, you don’t believe this, the hands. So I decided at the top of each hill to start a bit earlier before the complete peloton arrived.  The intention was to catch up with me during the next climbs so I could prevent having cramps. It worked out well, in the beginning.At the third climb Tom BB asked with wat was wrong. After my explanation he offered me a gelleke that helps avoid cramps. You probably think I’m mistaken with the abbreviation of Tom’s name. It’s not the case, let me explain…..
Tom is a skilled polyglot and very fluent in the Spanish language. When he introduces himself at the hotel check in, name Tom ban Boxtael which is the correct Spanish pronunciation.  Thanks, Joris B. for sharing this trivia of the day. 

And Tom’s gelleke was a wondergelleke. The cramps were less intense so I could proceed with my journey. After a misunderstanding I missed the food supply but Filip of Golazo helped me ‘on the road’. After he filled the bidons and gave me some bars he even pushed me into motion. Thank you Filip. 

Numerous times I had a Forrest Gump feeling, always thinking now I’m here, I have no alternative, so I go on. Even the nightingales were singing their supportive songs. 

Constantly I looked behind my back, but I couldn’t spot the peloton.  

When I arrived at the destination I realized I rode about 175 km’s on my own fighting the elements, but with the help of Tom’s gelleke. Three quarters of an hour later the first elite peloton arrived at the hotel. I admit I felt really proud and the guys told me I must nominate myself as the hero of the day.  

No way guys, this is not me, I won’t do this but I am nominating the elite group as the losers of the day. 

Looking forward to tomorrow’s shorter ride.