Hoegaarden

Sensing good form from Sundays ride in Overijse, yesterday I headed just 5km away to Hoegaarden for a kermis race. The long 14km circuit, to be raced over 8 laps was predominately flat, with only very minor drags, and a good uphill finish to detract from high speed racing. A large field for this time of the year (remembering back to the start of the season where 200 seemed the norm!) of 120 riders lined up for the 4 o'clock start.

The opening pace was fast, and I found myself slipping back early into mid-peleton mediocrity, notably finding myself caught behind team sky's sole representative in the race; a fat middle aged bloke, with more money than sense/fitness/style. This was not a welcome sight as we flew into a wide exposed road, with a fierce cross wind forcing echelons, as the field singled out into the gutter. Surviving this, and the peloton somehow coming back together, moving to the top 20 wheels became a must, but this was easier said than done. The long circuit not providing any tight corners, where braking late and cutting up the inside (the Belgian racing line) meant gaining places would mean riding into the wind.

Despite this lack of corners, the circuit did provide plenty of crashing opportunities, with 1 rider hitting a garden wall, and another totally misjudging the line of an 'under construction' roundabout, taking another one with him...

Knowing how difficult it had been to reach the fore of the race gave some comfort in that it would be easier to stay there. Well perhaps. 30 riders now sat out front, splitting in the cross wind, but the lead hovering at just 15-20 seconds, almost always in sight but just too much to jump alone, and no-one really willing to work, as the gap seemed so easily closable. With 2 laps to go, a bit of through and off later, the junction was almost there. In such a situation, its so easy to sit back and wait for the race to come together, the danger of such is that everyone assumes this and the break again moves clear. The opportunity to jump presented itself perfectly, and sitting top 5 wheels I attacked through the finish climb, and joined the rear of the group, only to find they had sat up to wait for the peloton. My plan had been foiled, and I sat a lonely 10metres from the break, as they accelerated away down the hill!

Frustrated, and knowing it was race over, I continued to attack hard, initial joined by 1 and then a group of 5, we rode the final lap hard through and off, until I broke ranks (not a welcomed move) and bridged to a group of three 2km out, (with the other 6 making it 30 seconds later and apparently annoyed at my attack – we were racing for 40 something, why did it matter?!

It's a frustrating result, to have felt so strong, and come out with no result is disappointing. I've certainly felt a lot worse, and achieved better results elsewhere this season. 3 races left now, I'm going for that final push with my eyes on another victory before the years up.