It’s a wonderful morning in Hualien with bright sunshine and the temperature climbing.
Mr. Rostaing of the Velo-Club La Pomme Marseille reflected most teams’ sentiments by observing that “It sure is a great day for cycling”. He was the first of the teams to check-in, collect their documents and pick up their team cars.
Team managers or designated drivers were shown to their car and set about making themselves familiar with the setup.
Mr. Rostaing was followed by team members as they made their way out to the front of the hotel for a session of light training.
Amets Txurruka is back again this year in a team of two. His team-mate is Benat Urain Epelde. Amets was much admired, not only for his cycling, but his support for victims of the Suhua Highway disaster. Great to see you back again Amets!
Cjam CKT Novatec were also on the case early, and attracted interest and questions from admiring onlookers.
They were shortly followed by the Rabobank squad, here putting a bit more air in a rear tire before heading out for a light training ride.
With everything in order, it was time for a group photo: Carlos Barredo, Tom Leezer, Wilco Kelderman, and Melvin Boskamp will be the team to beat you’d think
Here’s tomorrow’s race route in more detail. Basically 95km south along the inland route 9, then roughly the same on the return along the coast. Showers were forecast, but if tomorrow is anything like today, then it will be absolutely terrific.