Fame At Last...

Jef Schils Memorial: 3rd

Photo from Steven Sebborn

Following on from a dramatic victory in the previous days 3 frame, near 1 and a half hour “epic” pool match against Hamish Haynes, I departed for England with high hopes a continuation of winning form. With the alarm set for 5 Saturday morning, I arrived home at midday and prepared for the following days 140km Jef Schils Memorial with an hour spin out, a mandatory trip to Chelmer Cycles, and another hard fought victory at Fifa (taking my tally to 2 in 2 days)

Unlike the usual pleasantries of a 5 o clock breakfast for the standard British start at 9, the race was to follow a continental feel with a much welcomed 2pm start time. The undulating lap near Colchester was to be fought out over 7 laps of 19.8km with an accompanying sprint competition with points for the first 3 riders across the line each lap to liven up the action.

Photo from Steven Sebborn

After a 7 kilometre neutralised section, the racing got underway, and it was not long before the ominous dark skies turned to heavy rain, hailstorms and then some. With strong winds, the race stayed fairly together for the first 2 laps with the occasional group gaining a handful of seconds before being dragged back into the peloton on the exposed headwind sections of the course. On the third lap, I pushed on at the front, distancing the peloton and was shortly joined by Flavio Zappi off the front. Working together, we built up a 30, then 40 second gap, reeling in the sprint points as an added bonus for our efforts. After 2 laps out front, the tough conditions started to take their toll and as the gap dropped, we were joined by 3 more riders: Andy Lyons, Mike Wragg and Jake Hales bridging the gap. With a few kilometres to complete the lap, I started to take an interest in the sprint competition, and the 5 of us just did enough to make the line before being reeled back into the bunch. I again took the maximum points, taking my tally up to 8.

Back in the relative comfort of the peloton, I kept watchful but few riders could break the elastic. With 2 riders already ahead, I rolled through the line to take the remaining point on the final lap to secure the overall sprint competition win. Out of no-where on the final lap, a small change in pace in what was left of the originally 70 strong field left 14 of us out front, and with the gap growing instantly it was clear this would decide the race. Despite a few speculate efforts, the group rolled in together for a sprint. Not feeling all too sharp, I was too far back and had to settle for 3^rd, the race being won by Jason White with Joeri Bueken in second, the pair easily distancing the rest in the kick for the line.

With the race over, quick shower and prize presentation complete, it was straight back in the car and back to Belgium, arriving here in Kumtich at 2.30 in the morning! It was a long weekend, but well worth the visit. Hopefully I can build on that form for the final few weeks of the season.

Note to self: Having taken bottles with my right hand for the past 2 years, the connection of brain to tell left hand when to grip proved somewhat of a difficulty! 4 bottles slapped onto the ground and on such a long lap, that’s a race ending mistake on a hot day! In a weird paradox, I’m almost glad it was cold and wet… Almost.