(Warming up with last minute advise from head coach Geoff Proctor)
I started 3rd row, but managed to squeeze my way into second row ;) gotta be sneaky with these euros haha. I picked a dumb place to start but.. you know how it is. You see the best position on the starting grid and automatically take that instead of the smart one that doesn't get you pinched in the first corner. Bad decision.
The light turned green and things were already off to a bad start. The German in front of me missed his pedal and caused the two riders behind him to crash. I went to an almost dead stop to ride around them.
In the first corner there was already crashes happening and I just got off my bike and started running. On the bright side, I saw my buddy Lance Haidet had a killer start and was riding top 5. I was envious but stoked at the same time :) being at the front of these races is something most Americans don't experiance. Even if it's for a brief moment, you know you're riding with the best in the world. Something special. 
(Trying to make my way through the rider congestion on the first lap)
The first lap I just tried to stay calm. I knew the gaps to the leaders had already opened to almost 40 seconds because when you're behind crashes the first lap and not at the front, well..that's just how it goes. You have to mentally know that you won't be winning but can still get a decent result. Just suck it up and go.
Second lap in I started moving up quite a bit, pulling my way to around 17th. I tried making my time up on the long climbing sections. At this level everybody is good, so I had to find places to use my energy where it counted and places to rest behind guys where I wasn't moving up. Coming into the third lap, I saw top 15, as well as Lance about 10 seconds up the road.
(On long road climb)
I caught the group at the beginning of the lap and tried communicating with Lance but it was too hectic as we were in a group of 5 guys all trying to lead. So I attacked out of that group the first chance I got and kept pressing forward. Unfortunately Lance went down pretty hard and had to pit, suffering from a timely mechanical. 
(Tire of choice was the challenge Limus at 22 psi in the front and 23 in the rear)
4th lap things stayed roughly the same and I started to feel the effects of such a tough course. I decided to rest that lap and let a couple Netherlands and French guys catch me to pull me around for a little, as we were coming into 2 laps remaining. Starting the 5th lap I attacked hard and went all in. I saw the group ahead of me racing for 7th that a Belgian with us had just bridged across to. So I knew if he could do it, so could I. I made contact with them near the end of the 5th lap. Then it went down hill fast. 
(Bontrager shoes were super stiff and my Time pedals cleaned the mud out perfectly)
I crashed hard. I was caught and gapped by the group of 5 and had 2 guys behind me chasing hard with only half a lap left. I gave it everything I had and finished just out of reach to the group. 12 seconds to top 10. 
(Last lap at top of rode climb) (HED Wheels rode amazing)
It's hard for me to show extreme happiness with this result. Don't get me wrong 12th isn't anything to complain about, but I was there. I was racing for UCI points in a World Cup. To have a mistake that I made take that away isn't diassapointimg as much as it is motivating to just do better next time. Please don't confuse my words for disappointment. It's passion, and I can't wait to get the chance to line up against the best in the world, yet another time.
Can't forget to mention my other USA teammates! Lance pulled a solid top 20 after a rough mechanical, and Jordan Lewis completed his first European race finishing In the top 40, I believe. Way to go man!
I hope Jordan doesn't mind me sharing one of my favorite moments of the trip.
We were hanging out after our race, sharing stories and just having a good time. Jordan at some point In our conversation goes "guys.. I was just going so hard.. I didn't even know if I was doing good or bad man" Lance and I couldn't stop laughing because it sums up the racing over here perfectly. It's the hardest thing I've ever done. 
(Jordan Lewis, Lance Haidet, and myself after our race)
A huge thanks to USA cycling and Geoff proctor for making this trip happen! Had lots of fun and it was a super smooth process.
Next race report coming soon.
Thanks for reading,
Gavin T.
A huge thanks to Red Zone Cycling, Focus Bikes, Coure of Switzerland, Hed wheels, Infinite Nutrition, Bontrager shoes, Challenge Tires, Bell Helemts, and Time Pedals for making this possible
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