I have now been in Belgium for a few weeks and already feel like I've settled in well. I have got to know the best local roads and climbs for training, along with getting a few key Flemish words in to get me by whilst ordering the all important coffee and cake combo!
KIT:
First thing to do was set up the new Bottechia 8avio race bike that i would be using for the 2018 season. The frame fits 25-28mm tyres which is perfect for out here because it makes the ride more comfortable. The more Aero race bikes in the Bottechia range don't allow this so this was part the reason we went with this model for the year. Overall Its a solid all round bike suitable for all types of racing and most importantly stiff and robust meaning the cobbled races wont tear it to bits. This is important for the racing Im doing this year because It can be very varied from a nice flat kermesse to a hilly Interclub taking in cobbled sectors and farm track roads that test the strength of you and most importantly your bike.
The Maker of our kit this year is Doltchini and so far its been really comfortable and supportive in training and racing. This is important because races this year are much longer in duration so comfort is key to stay focused on the race and not have to worry about discomfort.
Our Casual Kit is also very comfortable and professional looking so when we rock up to races with the team van, Camper and cars it all matches and looks good in appearance. This is good for morale and also sponsor advertising!
RACE TIME!
#1
My first race was Brussel Opwijck the first big Interclub in Belgium. The race was 150km, 1300m of climbing and 10 cobbled sectors. This race was attrating most of the top U23 development teams including Lotto Soudal, UFC and Lotto Jumbo U23 to name a few! With this sort of line up and route parcour it was going to be a good test of how the winter training had gone and last few weeks of preparation.
The forecast was bitter cold all day not rising above 0 degrees! this meant for some very hot leg lotion and warm kit! plus hot tea in the bidons to stop them freezing and to attempt to keep us warm inside! lol.
It was a typical fast start with crashes in the neutral zone. I ensured to stay to the front right behind the car bumper to make sure i wasn't involved in any crashes and risk all my training for a silly mistake.
For the duration of the race i was riding towards the front saving energy and thinking about moves to follow and when to possibly make one my self. With 2 laps of the big circuit remaining approx 70km to go i put in a dig off the front bridging to a small group already up the road, this was before the cobbled climb and to my surprise over the top of the climb the peleton had completely split with the front group now joined together there was only 50riders left to the finish. This was the winning split so i was happy to make it and then think about the finish.
With nearly all the Lotto riders in the front group it was constant attacking from them so it was hard to follow all there moves, so i had to pick what i thought were strong and dangerous attacks!
With only 2 laps to go of the small circuit (20km) i was starting to feel it, i tried one last big move off the front with a few riders but it was short lived as it came back together 5km later, this was my best shot as im not going to win a bunch sprint so need to break away from a field of that size.
With half a lap to go a small group got away and this was the winning move that eventual Lotto rider won. I done the best i could on depleted legs in the bunch sprint but crossed the line in 36th.
#2
Next up is the first Kermesse race of the year. I will be using these as training to sharpen up for the bigger interclub and stage races coming up later in the year. They are a great way to try new things, learn the craft of belgium racing and get some speed in the legs!
The race was held in Lierde, 126km, 19 laps of a hilly circuit with one short but steep climb 1km from the finish likely to really whittle down the bunch and be the deciding factor at the end of the race, that and the again freezing cold conditions including wind and rain! typical Belgium weather!
I rode very similar to my first race staying out of trouble and near the front, due to the wet weather there were crashes and silly mistakes so its best to stay out of trouble and avoid it. I was very active in the first half of the race getting in some strong moves and actually thinking one would stick but after a couple of laps we got pulled back due the size of the split and the local team missing the spit so they rode hard to bring us back!
After my efforts a move did go but i missed it and this was the winning move. Roughly 15 stayed away so on the last few laps the game was up but we were still riding strong. On the final ascent i cramped up feeling very cold and the efforts from before so rode as strong as i could to the finish coming in 30th position.
#3
Another Kermesse this time in Wetteren, a short but fast 106km race. Once again weather conditions were bleak with strong winds and rain.
The laps were simple with only a small cobbled sector but nothing that would split the race up. The most dangerous part of the course was the crosswinds that could split the peleton and decide a winning move.
The first half of the race was very active so it was a battle of following what you thought were strong moves and riding smart in the hard sections of the course. looking back on the race i was not smart on my attacking and wasted to much energy following moves and attcaking. Once again the winning split was to go with only a handful of laps to go and it quickly went out as the emphasis of chasing down the split went.
In the bunch sprint I just got to the front of the peleton with 3km to go and buried myself along with a fellow team mate from Belgium and just treated it like a lead out. In the end I came home 48th, an important lesson learnt in riding in the winds and saving energy.
#4
Today is the first DRY day of racing but wait a second its still -2! on the cards today is another rolling kermesse 125km long.
The first half of the race i have to admit was tough! I couldn't seem to warm up and found it hard to get going. Along with that This was the start of a cold but i only felt the full effects the day after the race.
Anyway i couldn't let this get to me and just had to do what i could and salvage something for the team.
The break went early and included 2 from the team so took the pressure off chasing them down and allowed us to follow counter moves from other teams. We did just this and on the last couple of laps the break was in sight and coming back. But our team mate was still away and on his way to a top WIN!
The last lap was carnage with people fighting for minor placings and making crazy moves. Unluckily i was caught behind a crash which pushed me right to the back of the peleton and meant I had to chase back in to the group and try to finish at the front of the group. With it being the last lap and full gas I couldn't get around due to the size of the field and no room to manoeuvre. This meant a very disappointing 49th position but overall how I was feeling and now knowing I was carrying a cold, this was OK and just used for some strong training.
RACES COMING UP:
For the rest of this month i will be using the kermesses as training to get prepared for the next interclubs that really start to kick off in April.
24th March- Anzegem
29th March- Belegem
31st March- Erpe
Thank you for staying posted and with more race days in the legs and the stronger I get I hope to be much more competitive and be in some winning moves!
GEORGE CLARK
@PEDALPOTENTIAL