Santa Marinella -> Anguillara Sabazia
Ascend: 808m Descend 612m
Good news. Grant finally got to sleep by 3am, therefore he was tour ready by 10am. We both lined up for what is now the traditional morning team photo:
To be honest with you, today's stage was a bonus. We had already arrived fairly close to Rome by stopping in Santa Marinella last night. It was by design, rather than by accident as we needed to have wiggle room for any potential mishaps ahead of the rather large entourage flying into Rome for the finish as we roll in on Saturday.
We set off eastwards from the coast, heading around the A12, towards Lake Bracciano, which is situated 25 miles north of Rome and where we will spend our rest day tomorrow.
After 9 miles.....yet again......I suffered my ninth puncture of the whole tour. Grant swooped straight into action and insisted on fixing it for me. 
Grant and I then put the hammer down. We destroyed the local Italian cycling competition time and time again, passing the amateur cycling enthusiasts, who just could not keep up with our now distinguished tour pace.
Lake Bracciano is beautifully Italian, idyllic and incredibly tranquil. We were set to ride around it twice today, with our very own Simon Spong making a cameo appearance riding Clives bike,
First we all had lunch by the lake to refuel:
From left to right...Grant, Dad, Mum, Simon and me.
It was never in doubt. Simon James Timothy Spong would not come this far and pass up the opportunity to ride his best mates bike on the remembrance tour.
We lowered the saddle as far as it possibly could go, gave him a few road racing tips, and then all lined up for team photo 2 of the day. 
What a buzz it was, to have two of my best mates riding behind me. This is a shot I will always treasure .
We tore around the lake at breakneck speed, determined to do Clive proud. It wasn't the Team Sky train (didn't finish in Florence), it was the Team Clive Train.
As we came around the final bend into Anguilarra Sabazia, the sun was beginning to set. I couldnt help, but to reflect on the tour. 
I can not describe how emotional I feel right now. You will have to wait until tomorrow's blog to hear what I have to tell you about my brother. Don't miss it.
Until then. Brett x
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