The ups and downs

It's been a great season so far but of late things just haven't gone my way. I finished my second block of the year racing in Italy feeling very tired, particularly the last race were I was absolutely exhausted and I think suffered from heat stroke.
It was time for a break, and after a few days off the bike enjoying the Italian sun I was on a plane home to continue a bit of well earned down time. The next couple of weeks consisted of only very easy riding and unfortunately a few trips into the doctors as my health had deteriorated at the same time, with a few basic medicines to get me going, I thought I was back on my way.
Luck was not going my way however, and with a last minute decision to race the national championship, I quite soon regretted it as I was caught up in a high speed crash and my race was over. Despite feeling very sore and sorry for myself, the damage was all superficial and as I'm writing I'm in Switzerland staying in a team mate's family chalet preparing for next week's Giro Della Valle d'Aosta, my biggest race of the year so far. It's a spectacular under 23 line up, with most of the world's best teams and nations represented and any results here will be a major achievement. The race features 3 summit finishes plus 2 other stages and a time trial all around the Valle d'Aosta region of Italy, right in the heart of the alps. At the moment it's hard not to be anxious about the race, I haven't raced at this level for what feels like a long time now and riding round the tough mountains roads of Switzerland isn't very easy whether you're racing or not which hasn't filled me with confidence. Hopefully the form will be back for the race!
Let you know how I get on,
James