Danny- I feel your pain!

Danny Pate and three other riders had a successful breakaway in yesterday’s stage 15 of The Tour (first Alps stage so far w/2 huge climbs). As they approached the finish line, the Credit Agricole rider (Simon Gerrans), who was almost dropped at the bottom of the finishing climb, attacked and won the stage. Danny ended up in 3rd place- still an awesome feat of riding strength, right?

Not in Danny’s opinion!

In a post race interview, his disappointment was obvious (even though he was trying very hard to act slightly happy about his placing). He looked as if he were on the verge of tears. He and the riders had a heroic breakaway, and he was upset that he didn’t win. Most people would be thinking “WTF”? You won 3rd in a hard stage in the freakin’ Tour de France!! What do you have to be disappointed about?
Well, Danny, I feel your pain! I’ve been there before- albeit on a “slightly” lower level of competition… We’re out there to win- not “do our best” and come in 3rd. You can come over & cry on my shoulder if you want, because I’ve felt the same way after several races, and I understand :)