They say history is written by the winner. Since neither Jesse nor Phil have blogs, I will dictate what is written about the 4 lap, 100 mile, Winters Road Race 2010.

An 8 person break separated early from a well motivated, far from lazy, out for blood, peloton. The break, containing one from each team, except two from Cal Giant, gained a maximum of 10 minutes before it reached the finish line.

The break splintered over the last 40 miles and only 3 came to the line together. The finishing order was Jesse, Phil, Paul.

From a more personal perspective, I had fun riding the breakaway. I followed my prerace plan of riding the third lap hard with the intention of suffering a bit after that. The only problem was the third lap hard riding was mediocre and the 4th lap suffering was extreme.

I have one question to ask. To whom was the suggested $3 parking donation? A wealthy land owner, your mom? I have nothing against donating, but just straight up asking for money is for homeless people and your friends.

The last few days of the Tour of Utah, which claims to be "American's Toughest Stage Tour (direct quote)," were toeing the line of insanity.

The crit up at Park City on Saturday was the hardest race I've ever done, hands down. It was basically Nevada City backwards, but at 7000 feet.

I hit the wall multiple times while desperately trying to inhale oxygen that just wasn't there. At one point I cracked so deep I was questioning my sanity. On the decent I wondered why I wasn't sitting behind a desk making more money and living life much further away from death.

I ended up rolling in with the second group over a minute down, happy it was over. Judging by the looks at the finish line, I wasn't the only one.

Sunday was the queen stage from Park City to Snowbird. I'd done it twice before so I knew what to expect, pain and suffering

On the roll out Levi brought up my previous post questioning his style. His answer was, "for the stage win." Fair enough. But more importantly, Levi F'n Leipheimer reads my blog!! Is there anything left to accomplish?

As for the race. I got dropped over the top of every climb and caught on again during the descents. Till the final climb up Snowbird, where I just got dropped.

While Ian Boswell managed to finish an outstanding 3rd overall, it was a lack luster race for me. But I was front grouping it more than the last few years so I guess you could call that half full.

Levi Leiphemer reads PaulMach.com!!

Bib shorts over the jersey, that's weird. I don't know if it's banned in The Official Rules of the Euro Cyclist but I'm sure it's at least implied.

I once saw a guy wear his skin suit inside out to please his "sponsors." Yep, shammy on the outside. I've even put the pins on the inside of my skinsuit to be more aero. But bib shorts over the jersey is just plain weird.

Now consider that Levi is about a minute up on the GC that he's not even riding for. It begs the obvious question, why?

Maybe I'm over stepping my bounds by calling out the guy that is schooling everyone here in Utah, but I can't be the only one asking about this.

For those interested there is time gap data between me and Ian from yesterday's TT.

The altitude here is making everyone crazy. Crazy enough to want to race I guess. Anyway, the first two real stages of the Tour of Utah are over and they've lived up to the expectations.

Wednesday was hot and humid just like Rob's home town of Regina, in Canada. About 80 miles with two major climbs. The first one wasn't that bad except for the feed zone a half mile from the top. That alone broke the field up, causing some dramas.

The second climb went a bit harder. Ian and I made it over the top in the front group and Frank caught back on soon after. That group had about 40 guys in it by the finish, but I've never made that front group in years past, so I was happy.

Yesterday featured Mt. Nebo. Once we got there it was 5 miles of steep climbing followed by 5 more of rolly uphill over 8000 feet. I got dropped once they started attacking about 35 minutes for the finish.

I caught up to a few guys and finished 21st, 4:20 down. But our man Ian Boswell rode to an impressive 3rd behind Levi and Mancebo. Just so everyone knows, I interviewed him before he was famous.

The prologue of the Tour of Utah was intense. My only question is, "What does it mean?"

Anyway, short post for tonight. Basically felt like crap, saw 6:54 as my time when I crossed the line. Was a bit bumbed.

So I did the math. George Hincapie started 30 seconds behind me, I never got caught and he finished in 6:18. That raised significant questions. Thank you 10 years of post secondary education.

Final results had me at 6:25 in 17th place. Similar placing to last year, but I think the competion is better, so I'm happy.

In other news, Levi Leipheimer said hi to me and George Hincapie smiled and waved. I'm serious, have I ever lied on this blog?