A last minute scare:
01.07.2005/ Hi there,

Seems like we already had our minds on tomorrow when we went motor-pacing this
afternoon. It led to a really scary moment. With the Motor -pacing in which one
drives directly behind the team vehicle, I followed the team car, (and) I didn´t
notice the brake lights and collided full-speed into the back windscreen!

It could have been much worse than it was. Luckily, apart from a few cuts and
bruises, I´m fine.

As you can imagine, we´ll all be relieved when things finally get underway
tomorrow. This means that all the long preparations and talk will finish. From
tomorrow, everyone must lay their cards on the table.

Obviously, I'm asked about how I´m going to beat Lance. The answer is very
simple. I hope that I´ll have stronger legs than him. I´ve prepared everything
so far for that.

Today is also special for another reason: it´s my daughter Sarah Maria´s second
birthday. Naturally, I wish I was with her, but at least through this diary I
can send her my best wishes. I´ll be giving it everything, so that tomorrow I
can sort out a little present for her....

So, fingers crossed,

Later,

Jan

NOT MY LUCKY DAY:
02.07.2005/ Hi there,

I´d set myself the goal of making a strong start to this year´s Tour. I went
flat out today and did not feel so bad. But to be overtaken by Lance
straightaway on the first stage is certainly not a nice feeling.

I can´t quite put a finger on what went wrong. Perhaps it had something to do
with the crash, I did lose some blood. But I don´t really think that's the
reason.

I felt in good shape actually and because of this was optimistic for today's
stage. Lance did, of course, ride very strongly to come in just behind the
winner but at first, I did feel somewhat demoralised. Despite that, I´m happy
that things have finally got started.

There is still three weeks of racing to go in the Tour and I will battle on.

Later,

Jan

05.07.2005/ Hi there,

We´ve come through the two sprinting stages intact. That hasn´t always been the
case in the past - often we´ve been tangled up in some dangerous sprint
showdowns. Fortunately, not this time around.

Yesterday, the first group which included me, could have gained five seconds
advantage on those behind them. That would have been five seconds pegged back on
Lance. But the jury decided to award the same time to all the riders. It´s a
pity because we had worked relatively hard together to get into the leading
group at the finish.

Today too, I´ve stayed with my team colleagues at the front of the field pack
and out of trouble. The finale was extremely hectic - fortunately we made it
safely to the finish Tours.

Now, our focus switches to the team time trial. Last Wednesday, the whole team
trained together on this route so that we´d be as well prepared as possible for
this critical battle against the clock.

Of course, Discovery Channel and CSC are the favourites tomorrow. But, we are
also keen to impress, with a convincing team performance!

Later,

Jan


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