Sitting at the breakfast table of my hotel this morning, I didn't understand any of the languages being spoken. Then someone asked if I was here to race. When they all switched to English, I discovered that they are all here to spectate the World Cup this weekend! The 4 elderly people came from Belgium to watch Sven Nys and the German couple came to watch Julien Absalon! They don't know any of the racers personally, they are here simply to spectate the way Americans do for football and baseball! Apparently there will be 10,000 spectators on Sunday! They make a weekend out of spectating mountain bike races, imagine that! I love Europe (and especially racing my bike in Europe)!

The breakfast table of World Cup Specators

Then I headed out for a spin on the racecourse and did some hot laps with Nino! (In reality I just chased him for minute then he dropped me without a single thought or any effort!)

Hot laps with Nino Schurter (Current World Champion)

The Spanish mechanics for Orbea were staying at my bed and breakfast, so I bribed them with the typical mechanic’s currency to take a run through on my bike.. They cleaned up the shifting and fixed a matchmaker issue with my dropper.

Spanish Meachnics