So much has happened since my last blog and it has only been a few weeks, about a month to be more accurate.  Life for me has been pretty busy but I have been to some exciting events so it is great to reflect on them.

The World Championships were enthralling.  Being British, I must admit to finding myself on my feet shouting at the tv pictures at Nicole Cooke, Emma Pooley and David Millar.  Nicole Cooke is such a talented bike rider and has had some difficult times since her world and Olympic double.  To see her fighting it out and getting caught on the line made for a stunning if not anxious finish.  Emma Pooley was majestic in the time trial and David Millar deserved his medal to set him up for Commonwealth Games gold.

The men's road race seemed to have a different pattern with no race radios.  Brian Smith and I commentated on it for Eurosport.  The 3 hours of live coverage went in an instant and we both admitted to being drained at the end.  The action was non stop and you had to have your wits about you to know who was attacking.  I had Gilbert down for the win as you know and he so nearly pulled it off.  However, Thor Hushovd will be a superb World Champion.  He is a real ambassador for cycling and we have been lucky enough to get to know him working with the Cervelo TestTeam and he was a guest at the annual Braveheart Dinner in Scotland last year.  We are lucky to follow Cadel Evans with another rider who will do the rainbow bands justice.

Jonathan Vaughters must be counting his lucky stars having 2 world elite champions in his team after the link with Cervelo.  This time last year he was having a less than fun time dealing with Team Sky, now he has payback in luck and karma.

Last week I went to a screening of Chasing Legends.  In the UK, it was screened to 50+ cinemas simultaneously with a live Q and A at the end to all venues.  This was hosted by Phil Liggett and included Mark Cavendish, Brian Holm, Rolf Aldag and the Director Jason Berry.  My verdict?  Beautiful.  What a stunning film capturing the sport in a unique way.  Brian Holm and Rolf Aldag were witty, the team came across as a great unit and there were moments of emotion, adrenaline and excitement.  I would recommend it to anyone.

Finally at the weekend, I travelled to Scotland for the annual Braveheart Dinner..  For those of you who aren't aware of the Braveheart Fund, it is a charity to fund young Scottish riders in furthering their careers in cycling.  In 7 dinners the fund has raised over £210,000 and assisted riders such as Charline Joiner who won silver in this years Commonwealth Games.  The dinner has a reputation for being an end of season let your hair down affair and this year was no exception. 

On Friday we took some of the star riders Go Karting.  Lizzie Armitstead, world track champion and Garmin Cervelo rider showed that she is a speed fiend and beat us all to take the fastest lap title.  On Saturday 400 riders took part in a ride with Sean Kelly before we took a few riders to see a Premier League Scottish Football match.  Adam Blythe, Lizzie and Mark Cavendish seemed to enjoy the banter of scottish football!

In the evening, myself and Dave Harmon were MCs at a dinner for 400 guests.  The star guests at the dinner were Sean Kelly, Hendrik Redandt, Charly Wegelius, Lizzie Armitstead, Matt Brammeier, Adam Blythe, Russ Downing, Mark Cavendish, and finally to the surprise of Dave and I, David Millar turned up unannounced on stage in a kilt and with his commonwealth gold medal.  All in all, a stunning night.

Next on the horizon for me is commentary on the World Cup Track meeting from Poland for Eurosport.  Thanks for reading, keep getting the miles in!

Anthony