JP Murph

Off and running.

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:28:59 +0000

So my spring campaign in Belgium has begun and I can officially say it hasn’t been the smoothest start. I came down with a cold right before 3 days west flanders. Got through the first two cold days ok, but when I woke on sunday I could barely breath. I didn’t start and spend the day in the hotel….

I have over a week before I race again so there’s time to kick the cold and hopefully hit some time on the bike before. I’m at the dentist right now. Is there anyone out there who actually enjoys this? The worst is that I’m in the waiting room and all I hear are sounds of heavy machinery. Great…

Podium Insight

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:52:57 +0000

http://www.podiuminsight.com/2010/02/10/its-go-time-for-john-murphy/

Het Volk and Kuurne Brussels Kuurne

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:33:14 +0000

This past weekend was my first real classics races. Het Volk didn’t go super for me. I crashed with about 120km in, about 20km to the real bulk of the climbs. I got a spare bike but we were team car 26 so it took forever. I chased back through the caravan and was ALMOST back to the group when a we came to a train that came directly after the bunch. I was stopped for like 5 minutes……. Game over.

Kuurne Brussels Kuurne was some special. After 100km half the race had dropped out due to weather, then a storm hit us with some 30-40mph winds. I was seriously lucky to keep my bike up right. I couldn’t shift cause my hands were numb. I was nearly hypothermic in a matter of 20 minutes. I actually just stopped and waited for the bus in hope for warmth. The broom wagon bus was nearly full but I found a seat, just happy to not be on my bike another moment. Turns out all but about 25 guys pulled the plug. It was a hell of a day to say the least.

A day to relax

admin — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:06:23 +0000

Finally after 2 weeks of racing, we get a day to relax at the Shangri-La in Oman. We have a 330am departure for flights from muskat to doha to parus then driving to belgium. Ill be staying in gent for the time being with my friend tyler farrar. Het volk is up next weekend. Time to rest up.

The days keep ticking by.

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:07:19 +0000

Yesterday we took a 35 minute plane ride to get to the start. It took us an hour to get to the airport with police escort. We went through some gridlock traffic so that was cool. Then once we landed in wherever we flew to we got to drive another 2 hours. Seemed sorta pointless considering the team cars got to the start over an hour before us…

Now on the 5th day of Tour of Oman, I feel like we are towards the end of a 2 week tour, with only one day separating this race with the previous in Qatar. Both races have had quite impressive hotels, good food, and even did our laundry. Ok, only 3 or 4 pieces of clothes at a time but nonetheless. We do get an extra day at the hotel after the race is over so that’s the reward for all of this. Should be nice to relax on th beach. Maybe sleep in… Maybe I’ll play some tennis. Doubtful, but would be cool. Thanks blackberry for providing us with these sweet phones that I’m writing this update. I took some videos but not sure how to post them…

Oman stage 1

admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:33:43 +0000

The first ever Tour of Oman started with a 60km crit at night. It sorta reminded me of twilight but not quite as cool. It was still pretty cool but also quite dangerous. Along most of the hot dog(out and back) course there were no barriers, so spectators were literally right on top of the riders. Kids were messing around with sticking there feet and arms out to try and force a crash. Other than that it was pretty chill until the end. Ballan got in a break and was awarded with the most aggressive jersey. I went for it in the sprint but when I tried to open it up, someone was sliding across the road in front of me. Had to brake to avoid. Still managed 14th. I have good power in these finishes I just need a good run at the line. All in time. Thanks for reading!

Jackson and Simon

Martin

Its hot here

Not so flat like Qatar.

Qatar yesterday, Oman today

admin — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:11:33 +0000

We finished up Qatar yesterday keeping Marcus in 5th overall. I managed 10th on the day with a late run to the line. I was fast but I was just too far back. I gotta work on that.

Now we’re in Oman and we are staying at a sweet resort hotel on the beach. it should do nicely for the week. Also there are hills here. Gonna be a different race for sure!

Stage 5

admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:38:54 +0000

Check it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcoboB3aaHI

Almost made it…..

Stage 4

admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 07:32:53 +0000

So the wind has been non existent the last couple days. Our plan worked perfect and Kohler made the break from kilometer 0. The 3 man break lasted 130km before getting sucked back into the group. We made it to the finish with little drama. Another crash right in front of me limited my sprint, though I feel I was a bit far back as it was. Hopefully today some better luck will come our way.

Stage 3

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:20:07 +0000

This one wasn’t too dramatic. One section of cross wind that was hard but no major separation. It came together for a bunch kick. Boonen won. I was top 15 I think. I waited too long to get to the front. There was a nasty crash right next to me at the finish. Thankfully all the BMC boys made it through. .