Sinaai

Yesterday I headed back to Sinaai to take part in an 'Entrale Verwarming Werner Maes' kermis, a sponsor of the team. We were to face a slightly longer 8km course, located towards the opposite side of the town. Riding a warm up lap prior to the 15:00 start time, it became very clear that this was to be a problematic course. Pan-flat throughout, offering very high average speeds, the somewhat predictable chaos of a 90 degree bend, from a two lane road onto a 2 metre bike path a few hundred metres past the finish line (with primes every other lap) was all too obvious. In fairness, this isn't totally true: the bike path was next to a wide enough cobbled road, and maybe its against the spirit of the race, but I would question anyone can find a rider anywhere that is going to use the cobbles with a smooth bike path next to it!

With 134 riders taking to the circuit, getting to the corner first was an absolute must, and although I was fairly well placed, it seemed anyone out of the top 10 wheels was to come to a standstill as we filtered onto the path, indeed those at the back really did have to stop and wait, a scenario which we encountered every single lap. To liven up what was one of the most boring race I have done, with absolutely no breaks gaining more than 10 seconds at best, such was the nature of the circuit, I received an abrupt call from mother nature. Now that corner came as a blessing, and I assumed I would have plenty of time to stop and rejoin the peloton on the path. However, as Dom informed me after the race, I had stopped on what was the fastest lap of the race – the peloton holding 48kph as I chased back on! (the next lap riding at just 35!). In an incredible misjudgement of timing, I knew rejoining the peloton was an impossibility and set off in my own time trial effort, eventually being pulled out 20km later, with just 3 laps remaining.

Anyway, the race came down to 3 riders jumping out the front in the last lap, followed a few seconds later by a 100up bunch sprint. I'm not really sure what to make of it in all honesty, all I can do is look at it as good training! Next race Monday.

Lebbeke

On previous form, the race at Lebbeke on Wednesday should have been a disaster; the short 5 kilometre loop littered with narrow, very twisty lanes has never been a forte of mine, having never really excelled on criterium 'interval' style courses. Being an U23 race, quite predictably we started flat-out, and even just missing the pedal out the start left me toward the back end of the 50 strong peloton. Almost instantly through the narrow lanes a group of 9 split off the front, and a frantic chase emerged, as relentless attacking to jump into the break occurred. However, it was not until half way through the race, some 10 laps in, that the race split apart. In front of the peloton were 2 groups, both with a strong but not uncatchable margin. Feeling good after around an hour of the race I decided to attempt to bridge up to the break, about a gap of a minute. Quickly I found myself with around 15 other riders, having forced a split through the technical section of the course. We quickly settled into chasing those ahead, but after a few kilometres of 'though and off', it became very apparent that in a group that large, many were willing just to sit on the back, refusing to do any work and add to the chase. In what was a successful, albeit unpopular move, I decided to attack out of the group to move clear of those sitting on the wheels. Very quickly the group was down to 10 riders, and a proper chase was initiated, although still 2 or 3 of the group were still content to sit on for the free ride.

After a couple of laps, we caught the group ahead, forming a final chase group of 20, with still 9 riders leading by a solid 3 minutes at this point with a further 2 riders behind them. With such a large number of riders, and far too much of a time deficit to the leaders, everyone seemed content just to ride to the finish and contest the sprint for 12th. As the pace gradually slowed, I seized the opportunity to attack. Followed by one rider, we quickly gained a gap and took long turns to open the lead. However, my fellow escapee was of the weak variety, and after not long had dropped back off my wheel. Feeling somewhat inspired by the ride of Carlos Barredo in the previous stage of 'le tour' (but not his wheel throwing antics), I too set my sights on a solo 40km ride to the line. With somewhat less at stake and somewhat less talent, I held a 30 second lead for 20km before being reabsorbed into the group. With a counter-attack of 3 riders moving clear in the final laps, I prepared for the sprint for 15th, narrowly missing out by what could not have been more than centimetres. Another top 20 ride in the proverbial bag, and the first race back that I have felt comfortable and strong. Now to relaunch the second half of the season off this performance.

Liege, Remicourt, Sinaai and back troubles...

Well, Liege was a total failure on all fronts. After the training camp in the Alps and subsequent 5 days off the bike with a fever all took its toll, and after just 70km I was out of the race. More worryingly however, was the severe discomfort while riding – my position feeling as though I had never ridden the bike.

Convinced racing would be the key to my return to form after a 4 week absence from the peloton, I raced the following day in Remicourt - a 77km support/chopper race to the second stage of Liege. Noticing a marked improvement in my position although still a long way from being comfortable, I knew the race could only be a training exercise to try and pull my body back into shape. To some extent it was successful as putting the pressure down, both Dom and I rode off the front and were joined by 3 other riders and built up a solid lead. However, never out of sight on the square shape course, we were reeled in after a couple of laps. I soon slipped back into mid-peleton mediocrity, joined by sleeveless triathletes and Radioshack replica kit wearing types – not a place I pride myself in being. Arriving at the finish a few riders had moved off the front, and I ended up in a mass sprint for the line, finishing in a top 20 position.

Still feeling fairly fresh, we decided to race again the following day in Sinaai, - this time back to a traditional style kermis, 110km of flat out aggressive racing. Adding an as yet unseen element to this race were 2 long cobbled sections with narrow smooth paths lining them. Naturally, all 56 starters were drawn onto the narrow paths, and what resulted was a totally lined out peloton every lap. Aside from the obvious difficulties from riding in this way, (very little protection from the wind), I also encountered the problem of being unable to see anything other than the wheel in front! Often, a rider would sit up unable to hold the wheel, and the gap only becoming apparent once we left the cobble stretch, often leaving deficits of 50metres to be closed.

Feeling far more comfortable on the bike, which I can only assume is from my body adapting back to racing rhythm, I rode hard, put in a few attacks and bridged over to breaks. With over half the field being shelled out the back by the closing stages of the race, I prepared for the sprint for 5th – 4 riders eventually getting away. However, totally dehydrated, with temperatures over 30 degrees, and poor positioning left me crossing the line in 17th.

Adding another top 20 result is another good outcome, but the result is largely irrelevant. I'm definitely getting back to race rhythm and the hard training in the Alps will hopefully start paying off in the next couple of weeks. However, the immediate concern of my back troubles was revealed today after a visit to a sports doctor. Instantly he noted my vertebrae are twisted and blocked, which has resulted in my hips rotating slightly. After a lot of stretching, and even more cracking, my back is at least straight now, although still painful. I can only hope this doesn't result in any long term issues.

The Alps Part 2

Following the day that nearly killed us all, we opted for relatively easier (there is no easy ride in the Alps!) day on Wednesday. This time we headed north from the chalet, up the final 5km of the Col de Aravis, and down the hairpin descent into La Clusaz. We were heading for the Col de la Colombière, although with no-one actually carrying a map we started heading “in the right sort direction” up a narrow un-signposted road assured by a “local” that we were on the Colombière. We weren't. Having reached a no through road sign, and after plenty of faff we turned back to La Clusaz where we picked up the actual road to Grand Bernard where the easer side of the climb starts. Feeling terrible after the previous days efforts half of the group decided to call it a day half way up the climb and retreated to a café in the town. Regrouping with the riders who got to the summit, we started the long drag back to La Clusaz and finally a steady ride up the harder side of the Aravis. Despite the small number of the climbs, this still equated to nearly 4 hours of riding! Not bad for an “easy day”.

We then had a well earned rest day, heading down to Flumet where we found a public pool with café – a suitably Euro location to reside for the day. After a coffee, brief 'swim' in the pool and game of “who can stay on the bike longest while we ride into each other in a enclosed area”, we headed back up the 6km climb to the chalet.

Saturday was planned for a repeat trip of Wednesdays ride to the Col de la Colombière, but then to carry onto the bottom to Cluses to ride up the Col de Romme, and harder side of Colombière. By this time into the week, I was really suffering with back pains, and after another race effort up the Colombière (easily won by James), I decided to save myself so I could hopefully sort my back out and have a good final day to go hard. Riding back steady with Tom Morris, who had been suffering with a knee problem all week, while the other continued. Although I missed out on the Romme, the first climb I rode on last years trip to the Alps – an absolutely savage 10km relentlessly steep climb – it was definitely a good decision, as that would have probably stopped me riding tomorrow as well.

After non-stop stretching, my back was feeling ok again, and after 3 easy(ier) days the final day had to be a tough one. The route would be a similar affair to Tuesdays (the day that nearly killed us). However, I decided to get the most of the day I wouldn't race flat out up the climbs, but ride hard up all of them. With just 3 of us willing to go on at the top of the Saisais, Andy, Wojciech and I, we continued to the summit of the Cormet de Roseland. However, we now opted for a different way back, Heading to Arêches, we passed over the Barrage de Roseland dam, and then up the the Col u Pré. However, we soon realised that we had missed out on on the descent to Beaufort, a town we passed at the base of the Roseland. The narrow, steep, hairpin littered road will surely rival the Romme as an ascent, and will be the first one on the paper for next years alpine trip! Opting for a non-mountainous way home, we next headed down the valley road to Albertville, and what started as a good pace, taking turns to tick over the 20 kilometres, turned into a 50kph+ 3up time trial, a chain-gang, and eventually an all out race! Stopping in Albertville we found a local bakery and consumed what must have been an entire pack of chocolate digestives made into one massive biscuit! Finally we had the valley road back to Flumet, which by name suggests it didn't go over any mountain, but in reality demanded the same gearing and speed we had become accustomed to over the cols! After a long steady effort we arrived in Flumet, and in one final hurrah, declared an all out race to the summit against Andy! I dropped him instantly, and rode flat out to the top, over coming the lure of pulling into the chalet half way up, and even contested my own little sprint!

It really was a heck of a week, and am quoted we rode 16,000 metres height gain, nearly twice up Everest! Despite my illness of the back of the camp, which although not ideal at least forced me into a proper rest. All this should put me in good condition for next week when I will be riding the Tour of Liege – 5 days racing in the Ardenne!

The race website and routes can be viewed here:
http://www.tpliege.be/index-eng.html

The Alps Part 1

I apologise that this has been a long time coming, but forgetting my laptop, and then having a fever and being in bed for 3 days after my return has meant the blog has been postponed for more pressing issues! However, I I'm recovered now and here is the first instalment of my blog from the mountains.

With the start of the trip already delayed for a day due to car problems, we decided to to travel through the night so as to not miss out on a training day. With my Dad and brother - Andy - arriving here at Midnight on Saturday (26th), it was always going to be a long journey – some 900km in fact!

We arrived in La Chambre mid afternoon, with the plan of a steady up the Col du Glandon (21km at 6.9% - although the final 3km being the toughest averaging between 10 and 12%), onto the very short ascent of the Col de la Croix de Fer (2.5km from the summit of Glandon and nothing to write home about) and then down to Saint Sorlin d'Arves, which would be our accommodation for the next few days.

With the travelling out of our legs, we decided on a longer day for Monday (28th). Straight out of the accommodation and onto the 20km descent of the Croix de Fer, followed by 10km on the main valley road, we reached the town Saint Michel de Maurienne. Our first climb of the day was the 'unmentionable' Col du Telegraph, the descent on which I crashed last year and still have the scars to show it! After the short descent into Valloire we reached the main climb of the day – the fearsome Col du Galibier. 18.9km at 6.9% makes Galibier on paper an easier climb that that of Glandon, although the reality is that Galibier is, in my experience, one of the hardest passes in the Alps. After the long drag following and empty river bed, you suddenly head upwards and it never eases, the last section of hairpins averaging over 10%.

After the fantastic descent off the Galibier we headed back up to the top of the Telegraph and then home!

The next day we headed in the opposite direction, out of the accommodation and the final 6 km (the steepest section by far) of the Croix de Fer. With no warm up whatsoever, we were going to take it very easy, up until 1 minute into the ride when I was overtaken by what can only be described as a “chopper”. My psychological need to warm up was overcome by my psychological need to beat him, and so I set off in a all out pursuit. Marvelling at my success at the summit, taking some 15 minutes from him left me particularly satisfied in my hollow victory. We then retraced the footsteps/pedal strokes of our first ride – the fast flowing descent of Glandon being my favourite of the whole week. Arriving in La Chambre, we headed to the base of Col de la Madeleine, a climb to be scaled in stage 9 of this years Tour de France, all be it from the other side, although both directions are similarly brutal. Suffering from my (unrequired) earlier efforts, the Madeleine seemed to go on forever, its 20km slopes never really easing from 7 or 8% and often reaching 10 – 11% for a few kilometres mid climb. After what I think was about an hour and a half of climbing (although which seemed like all day), the summit was welcome sight. After an incredibly hot morning, the clouds suddenly appeared as we sat sipping cool cola in the café at the summit (Euro). With the owners of the café frantically pulling chairs and tables in, it became quite apparent that we were about to be caught in an Alpine storm, 2000m above sea level. The plan for the ride was to descend the other side of the Madeleine and ride to Albertville where Dad would pick us up in the car (after his own ride/walk up the Madeleine with the car in La Chambre. However, accompanied by 2 motorcyclist we decided against the descent and waited for the storm to pass. It didn't. After something like 2 hours, we got in the car at the summit and totally avoided the storm – (very Euro). Despite the shortened ride, it was still a tough day, and we headed to La Giettaz where we would be spending the rest of the week with Andy's team, the Cambridge University Cycling team (CUCC).

The following day turned out to be the hardest day of cycling I (and I think I speak for most of us with this) have ever done. Descending from La Giettaz (situated half way down the south face of the Col de AAravis) and into Flumet the 9 of us started the Col de Saisies – 15km at 5%, although kicking up to over 10% at one point. After a chronically slow, yet very hard through and off effort, the inevitable when any group of riders comes together happened and an all out sprint for the line emerged in the last 2 kilometres (which I won. woo.) Regrouping at the top, we headed down the Saisais and onto the only flat section of the entire day – 2 km into Beaufort.

Having filled the bottles in Beaufort (so everyone was carrying the same weight penalty, of course) we started the ascent of the Cormet de Roseland, and an all out race was declared from the bottom!
The climb is never especially steep but constantly at a tough gradient, enough to bring many hairpins to negotiate. After a brutal early pace set by James, just Wojciech and I remained on the wheel and the 3 of us worked our way up the mountain tapping out a solid pace. After 10km or so I led the 'race' solo and held onto the advantage on the 2 km or so decent around the Lac de Roseland before the final 6 km ascent to the line. After an hour at the summit and a Holt double puncture, we regrouped at the top and swiftly re split: Andy, James, Wojciech, Holt and I decided to continue down the other side of the Cormet de Roseland to Bourg Saint Maurice while the others headed back home - a far wiser decision.

After a good Café stop, we restarted the Cormet from the South face, headed by Holt. After another 20km of climbing (thankfully not racing this time) and an hour and a half later we were back at the summit, and already feeling a little low on energy. After the descent we reached our flat 2km section and rather ludicrously;y decided it was a good time for some flat out chaingang! This was not an intelligent idea. With another 15km climb up the Saisais ahead, most of us were feeling pretty wrecked and not looking forward to at least another hour up the climb. Despite riding up it together steady, Andy and Wojciech the only 2 left to fight for the honours at the top with Wojciech taking the points. Much to their surprise I did however nearly catch them at the top having taken advantage of a neatly placed handle on a slowly moving tractor for the last kilometre!. Again we regrouped at the top and all were now beyond wrecked. After last years crash on the Telegraph, I had been descending very cautiously, but now my fear of descending was overcome by my need to get back. In Flumet we had just 6km to La Giettaz including 2 km of descending but this was the hardest ascent I have ever done. With absolutely no energy reserves left I think we averaged something like 6 or 7 kph! Finally we made it back, with a ride time of nearly 7 hours and more than 4500metres of climbing in just 140km.

Note: bring more food next time!

Alps Training Week

As of tomorrow until Monday 5th July, I will be in the Alps for a training week in preparation for a stint of upcoming stage races in July and August. I will be joining my brother and the riders of Cambridge University CC, to be based in the small town of La Giettaz. Situated towards the North of the Rhone Alps region, there will be plenty of spectacular cols to take in: the Romme, Columbier, and Aravis to name but a few. Look out for some photos later in the week!

A step closer to professionalism?

No, not a win. But today I took part in my first rider protest – a sure sign of disgruntled professionals at work? Well perhaps not. But how the situation arose is quite exceptional.

Today's race was in Erembodegem, supported by the owner of my teams title sponsor, Van Eyck Sport, and naturally I entered the race among a large contingent of team mates. The course was a 17km circuit, featuring a couple of climbs, a narrow cobbled descent, and many fierce sections of cross wind. Perhaps however, the most distinguishing feature was a railway crossing, which we would be traversing 7 times in the duration of the race. After a short delay to remove parked cars from the circuit, it was not long before a crash mid pack caused devastation to the peloton. Singled out in cross wind, debris on the road caused 6 riders to crash at high speed, including team mate Dom Schils, who walked away with cuts and bruising, the frame taking most the hit cracking in 4 different places! After a brief chase back to the front group, I made sure I sat near the front of the bunch, as splits occurred every lap. With half the race completed, and the peloton vastly depleted, I decided to make my move. With a 30 second deficit to a leading group of 8 riders, I attacked through the finish line and was joined by one other rider. Sharing the workload, and riding flat out we bridged to the break after 10 kilometres.

Working well together, we slowly edged out the lead and with 3 laps to go, the race was as good as won. However, as we approached the railway crossing, almost inevitably, the barriers came down, and the race stopped, - we were forced to sit and wait while the peloton, now over 2 minutes down rejoined us. Normally, given the situation, the break would be given back its time gap as the race restarted. However, with no-one really in control, nothing seemed to happen, and the race simply set off again with the advantage gone. From an all but guaranteed top 10 position, I now found myself in the same situation as the start of the race, all be it with half the peloton now dropped out of the race.

Having restarted, another break group formed, with 15 riders moving clear, myself not one of them. Not disheartened however, I soon found myself attacking again, and was joined by 2 team mates along with 3 other riders. Working together, we closed the gap to the leaders, when on the final lap the railway crossing unbelievably closed again. Still with no-one in control, exactly the same situation occurred, where dropped riders simply rode back up to the stationary break. With total chaos, the so called 'bosses' of the peloton called for everyone to stop. After a long delay, much shouting between officials and self-appointed rider spokesmen, it was agreed that all the riders still present would split the prize money between us, among completion of the race. We set off again at a pedestrian pace to complete the lap. Averaging 20kph, we rolled to the finish, and all stopped just before the finish line – much to the dissatisfaction of the 'booing' crowd. It was then announced that no prize money would be paid.

All in all, the race was a total farce. The idea of hosting a race crossing a train line on 7 occasions at peak time on a Monday evening is inherently ridiculous, and the total lack of authority displayed by race official made a total mockery of the event. With no result to speak of, and knowing what could have been, is somewhat disappointing, but I can take much confidence from the performance – probably the best ride I have had this year!

Lembeek, Ottenburg

Last Sunday I headed to Lembeek for an apparently hilly Kermis and the course didn't disappoint. Having met Dom at his house in Zellik, we rode the 35 kilometres to Lembeek and completed a lap of the course. From the start/finish line, the road wound upwards for 3.5 kilometres, with 3 distinctly steeper sections to negotiate, before dropping down for the remaining 3.5 kilometres through a series of high speed corners.


Staying near the front for the opening laps was crucial as the climb, although not 'mountainous' was clearly going to be enough for wheels to be dropped. The usual flurry of attacks began, and trying my hand on the climb early on, it quickly became apparent that any time gained on the ascent was diminished by the impetus of the peloton, reaching speeds of around 75kph every lap. After a 'super-prime' of 150 Euros, the race settled down, as the climb seemingly became longer and longer and the descent shorter and shorter every lap.


Eventually one of my team mates, Dieter Uyttersprot broke clear of the peloton with 2 laps to go, and accompanied by one other rider made it to the finish to take the win 9 seconds ahead of the bunch. The final half lap was certainly one of the most dangerous situations I have been in. With the chase fully on, the speed on the descent was incredible, often being cut up, and lent on as every rider tried to get to the front for the mass sprint. Approaching the line, I evidently chose the wrong wheels to follow as riders who had gone too early sat up, and blocked my path to the line. I crossed the line in 28th place.


Riding back with Dom, we headed to Geradsbergen, where lies the infamous 'Muur'. Following much of the Tour of Flanders route as we headed back to Zellik, we clocked another 70km which brought the days total to 211km.


With few mid-week races to chose from, my next race was Saturday, in Ottenburg, which again promised to be a hilly affair. The circuit was distinctly more undulating, with one short, but hard climb denoting the mountain primes. With strong winds, I positioned myself towards the front of the peloton, and rightly so, as wheels were constantly being dropped as the field split on numerous occasions. Despite moving into an early break, we were swept up by the peloton on the long gradual descent after the finish line, as the impetus of the peloton allowed for greater speeds to be generated. However, I sat back in and waited for my next opportunity to attack. With 10 riders at 30 seconds to the field mid-race, I decided to try my hand on the main climb of the circuit and jumped into another group of 10 riders, forming a good chase group. After a flat out 2 laps, we finally bridged up to the leaders, leaving the peloton well behind.


Inevitably, on the final lap the group split to pieces, and suffering from the earlier efforts, I found myself sprinting for 11th position, but poor positioning through the final corner saw me slip to 4th in the final dash for the line, finishing in 15th place.

Its another solid result, and a strong performance to go with it. After a slight lull in form in the last few weeks, I feel I am coming back stronger, and the top race form is just around the corner – just in time for the stage racing the team will be riding in a few weeks!


But to end on a slightly disappointing note, despite having enough points to meet the entry criteria, I will not be riding the national road race championships. My points were incorrectly allocated from the regional championships, and therefore I appear to not have enough points on the ranking list. Despite the fault being no fault of my own, the start list will not be altered, with the organiser suggesting a not particularly helpful 'tough luck' attitude. Nevertheless, its still a long season in Belgium, and there are plenty of big races ahead to look forward to.

More Bad Luck

With Bierbeek a total write-off with terrible legs, my attention shifted back towards the 'second-leg' of Hoxem – a repeat of last Sundays race featured at either end of the week long Kermesse. Despite the forecasted rain, the race stayed relatively dry until the final lap of proceedings. After a poor start, I missed an early move, with the 16 riders holding a 30 second deficit to the bunch. Realising the danger of such a move, and with the relatively slim time gap, both myself and team mate Dom, decided to try and bridge the gap. After what seemed an eternity of attacking, often forcing splits on the main climb of the circuit, only to be absorbed back into the peloton on the long descent, we eventually went clear, with 1 other rider tagging along but never willing to do any work. Working in part of a 15 man break, we jostled for position coming into the final corner of the race – a very tight bend, now covered in standing water. As we were caught by the peloton, Dom led into the bend, with me in 5th wheel ready for the hill sprint top the line. However, somewhat inevitably, the rider in 2nd wheel crashed out halting the sprint. Dom got away to win the sprint, and starting from a standstill I managed to hold off the late charge, finishing in 17th position.


Yesterday, I returned to Stok, again for a second race around the fast circuit. However, after just one lap, a spoke failed in the rear wheel. Riding to the car, where my spare wheels were, the only option was to stop, change the wheel and try to chase back onto the rear of the peloton Despite a smooth change, the task was too great, with the circuit delivering average speeds for the bunch around 45kph. However, all was not lost as once I was out of the race I continued riding behind the 'green flag' – a car denoting the rear of the race, and so at least got some speed training in my legs.


Next race is this Sunday in Lembeek, and promises to be a hilly one.

Kester - all 4 kilometres of it...

With just an hour of racing in my legs at Hoxem, I decided to race the following day in Kester. Despite the wet and slippery conditions the race went out hard, as the 7.25km course predominantly featured undulating, tight, twisting lanes – and it was these lanes after just 4km which ended my race. Despite good positioning in the top 10 wheels, the rider in front of me came down on a corner leaving his bike in my direct line. Fortunately the relatively low speed meant I stayed upright, but my front tyre fared a substantially worse fate, taking the hit with a 53 tooth chainring. As with all kermesse racing there is no mechanical back up and for the second time in 2 days a puncture has prematurely ended my race. Of course 'tomorrow is a new day' and I head to Bierbeek for another local race. Third time lucky?