Bingen Fernandez’s Giro d’italia Journal - Stage 10
Bullets, firing cannons and speed: "In the climb it wasn’t just my bullets that I found were in short supply - it seems that my canons were running low as well and some serious attacking had begun."

After the transition of yesterday the majority of the peloton had fusillade full of ammo ready to use. There was not one second of today’s stage that we stopped for a breather—moving along at 50 and 60 kilometers an hour.

From the start I tried to put myself into as many breakaways as possible - I am feeling back in it mentally and physically. But with the speed that we were moving at it was impossible to form a breakaway that lasted. At the foot of the first climb I realized that I had used up most of my bullets, more than I had intended. My legs were aching like crazy.

In the climb it wasn’t just my bullets that I found were in short supply - it seems that my canons were running low as well and some serious attacking had begun. And with the bad luck of Hincapie being in our group who was only laying 3 minutes back from the leader. We could not let the escape group stay away. The rear had to pedal the same speed as those pulling in the front and there where many times that we had to put the sign "Occupied Please Don’t Disturb" out.

We continued on in this manner through to the last climb where the peloton had been divided up and everyone was in their respected groups either by ability or desire. I am fairly sure that most of us used up our ammo during today’s stage - you only had to look into the faces of the riders after the stage to see it.

It is true what they say, "The bullets don’t kill, it is the speed that they travel at that kill" and with the speed of the stage today…I think it is true.

Bingen Fernandez  is a member of the Cofidis Team recently finished the Giro d'Italia and in 29th position on the General Classification.

Bingen  Fernandez             Photo c. Bart Hazen

Co-owner & Guide of Gruppetto Tours
Bingen is co-owner and president of Gruppetto Tours. Bingen has been a professional cyclist since 1996. Bingen guides and helps coordinate every trip ensuring that each guest has the pro-like experience. He will be riding his 12th season for the French team Cofidis.

Gruppetto Tours can boast the same care in their tours and training camps that professional riders experience complete with current and former professional riders as the guides; Jo Planckaert, Igor Flores, and current pro rider Nikane Xuen Mallea - Co-owner, Coordinator & Guide. The soigneur and mechanic have equal professional team backgrounds and palmares.
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