BELGIE 16/8

[-Adam-]

SO... another trip over Channel and I find myself with some decent company, a few decent Belgian teams, a few good English riders (Matt Higgins, Corley; Kieran Frend, Sabbath; Rob Hurd, DHC; Dave Sincalir and Llewelyn Kinch, both GWR), and the feeling that I was in for a kicking.

But actually, when the race started, fast though it was, I felt ok. Bit carried away early on, missed the main break, but settled nicely there after. A brief panic as I nearly crashed on a cobbled corner ensured I was adrenaline fueled.

As ther race wore on, the 100 rider field was thinning down nicely. And with about 20km to go my legs were finally feeling good. So I decided to get to the front and repay some of the pain I have been dished out this year on the continent!!! On the penultimate lap, we halfed the size of the peloton. The race was on. There were only 8 guys in the front group, and 5 guys not far ahead of us, and plenty of Euros still to be won...

[Andrew G]

Tease.

[-Adam-]

Now the Belgians, contrary to what you may have heard, do not like sprinting. So what they do, is just start riding absolutley flat out from about 2k to go. And when this drag race occurs with a cross wind, then a block head wind, you can imagine the carnage that ensues.

So I tried my little heart out on the last lap, but unfortunately, my late season form hasn't quite arrived just yet and I was found a little wanting when push really came to shove. Meanwhile my lazy sprinter team mate Josh just had the legs to ride away in the last few hundred meters to claim 18th spot. I rolled in 23rd, with maybe only another 10 guys behind me, out of nearly 100 starters! A proper race, the prize money was down to 30th, so I guess a lot of guys just give up when they know they're not going to trouble the prize fund. By the way, all of the other Brits either got dropped, pulled out of their own accord, or ended up in a ditch... he was ok though!

It was an awesome race, I have had my ass kicked over there a couple of times this year, but Sunday was the first time I felt at home and able to really race, rather than just follow. In that respect I think I got a bit carried away, especially on the penultimate lap when I could have rode much smarter. So 23rd perhaps ought to have been closer to the top 10, but you know it all bodes well for next year, now I know its not that hard, just different. For what its worth (not much, as I missed it), but I'm pretty confident I'd have survived had I gotten into the break. I honestly cannot wait for next spring...

[Snoop Doug]

Good work feller

[Michelle]

I'm looking forward to it too

[quote="-Adam-"]Sunday was the first time I felt at home and able to really race

[-Adam-]

I guess with your first quote there, I meant able to race in Belgium. But yes, it has generally been a tough year all around. There was a period in the early summer when I was spending my life on the motorway, only get the sh!t kicked out of me at the race, and then get back on the motorway to go home. I'm not gonna lie, it's hard to keep going back for more. But we did, and now there are 6 weeks or so left of season, the legs are most definately still firing, and so is the mind, just about.

I'll be glad when the season is over, but don't worry, I'm not done yet!