This would have been the high of the season, but it soon turned into the lowest. I was in the breakaway group with 100 meters to the finish, I opened up my sprint coming off 5th wheel moving on the far left into first position with 20m to the line. Then suddenly BAM, another rider swoops from the right getting his bike caught in my front wheel causing all my spokes to break and sending me over the handlebars superman style, landing head first.
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| Before the race getting ready with the roommates. who would of know a couple hours later I would be making friends with the ground. |
And that was that, the official ending of my 2015 season. Although very disappointing it could have been a heck of a lot worse. For one I'm alive, I have no major injuries and I only walked away with a dislocated shoulder and a few cuts and bruises. That might sound a bit rough but ask anyone in the cycling world and that's a walk in the park. So now that I'm hogged down to my bed recovering, I thought why not make my time useful and recap the last part of my season. Although because I've racked up more than 53 races this season I won't bore you or myself writing about them all instead we'll just stick with the ones worth a mention.
Progression!! is the most important thing for me and I felt I achieved that this season.The year started slow, as the weather was cold and the numbers in the peloton were high (150-200 riders). I was constantly finishing top 40 but nothing special. Moving into mid-season I was hovering more in the top 30´s but it wouldn't be till late season where I really found my legs.
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| In the break at Meerbeke |
'Meerbeke' was where I finally made the break and stayed in it. On a tough hilly course, it took its toll and I suffered in the later part of the race to come across the line 26th. Though not such a great result, it did give me the much-needed belief that I belonged up front in the breaks. From that race onwards I found myself more frequently in the winning breakaways.
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Final lap in Mere trying to get away
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Next race was at 'Laarne' where the rain gods let rip on us, making the cobbled course that much more difficult. Though feeling strong, I came away 13th. Following the good form, I raced 2 days later in 'Mere'. Keeping in good position all day I launched my attack on the last lap with 5k to go. Though would later be caught near the line to come 16th.
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| Overmere in the 2nd breakaway group. 20th |
The biggest turn of events would have been when my roommate had suggested after several races of me suffering from cramps and me having tried several things that maybe my seat height was a bit too low. I thought ill just raise it a little and see what happens, cant do any harm. Then suddenly 6th my best result of the season.
'Oordgem' a circuit course with a 2k cobbled climb over the finish line. I'm glad I even made this race as my roommate and I nearly missed it. Getting lost with the directions and riding an extra 15k to what we thought originally was only 20k away. We were dead last to sign on, rushing to pin our numbers on we were soon on our way. I guess I let the Adrenaline get the best of me and launched an attack 10k into the race.
It started with only 2 of us, but we were soon joined by a third rider. We worked well together staying away for a few laps before being reeled in by a chasing group of 10. This was a strong group and within a few laps we had established a couple minutes over the peloton. At around the same time the skies opened up making it even tougher but it was just what I wanted to try wittle down our group further.
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| Trying our luck at a 2 man break. |
Knowing we wouldn't be caught by the peloton anymore and with some strong sprinters in our group. I knew the cobbled uphill finish wasn't going to suit me and that my best chance would to be launch again or better yet follow someone else's attempt.
We had a gap driving along with only 10k to go. Later we were joined by another rider with 5k to go. We came over the climb for the 2nd last time and to his credit the 3rd rider that had caught us attacked the finish line hill going on to solo win the race. Final lap, the 2 of us were still away coming to the line holding a slight gap on the chasing group, the gallop for the line started, but the long cobble drag seemed to go forever.
closer, closer then with meters to the line we were caught Can see from the finish line photo above I was shattered in the back of the photo gasping for air coming in 6th. my breakaway partner just got pipped for 3rd (hard to see him between the blue and black kit riders.)
So back to the bike fit issue. It had been a long time since I had my last bike fit but to me it hadn't felt too bad so I just rolled with it. We would later discover that my seat height was too low 2,5cms to low which was causing my hip angles to close and prevented proper blood flow through my entire pedal stroke. I wish I had noticed earlier but for people reading please know if you invest in a bike then invest in a bike fit its worth it.
Having raced almost back to back over that month, especially that week were I had raced 4 races already, the body was getting battered. It was time for some much-needed rest. Along with the excuse of my birthday, I headed back to Germany for some nice downtime.
Upon returning to Belgium, I raced in 'Hulste' the day after arriving. Even though I was still quite tired I had a few digs at getting away but really there wasn't much in the legs and rolled in for 17th. The following day I raced again, but the result is not even worth mentioning.
After a couple days rest, I felt fresh to race in 'Masseman'. The weather as I had been growing accustomed to was grim, BIG storm grim.
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| Masseman what a slush of a day. 7th |
It kicked off fast sending the peloton to bits. I, unfortunately, missed the early break though it was later brought back. I had gassed myself though helping to crawl it back in and that's of course when the counter attack of 4 went in the last 20k which I stupidly missed. After sipping a few breaths of air, I managed to get in a second break group of 4 to chase the leaders to within 30 seconds. Though it was all little too late and we had to settle for contesting for 5th where I came 7th.
While in the mood of having my eyes sandpapered with dirt, let's carry on to the next race. Sometimes you might get what you call luck when it starts raining while in the race. The opposite end of that is when it starts raining while on the line, definitely a mood killer. That was my next race 'Houthulst'
Shredded to bits a day for the tough man but I guess I wasn't so tough coming in for 24th. Though definitely some mental toughness was gained.
And that brings me around full circle to where I am now as my last race was where I layed fuming angry on the ground. Now I'm back in Germany taking it easy, I will have the next few weeks off to heal and enjoy my off season break. So I hope you readers have enjoyed following me over the season, It sure has been a long one but great experiences were had none the less.
I would like to say a big thank you to my family,loved ones,my coach and to Steve and Bree for their continued support. Having the faith in me to pursue what I love, I hope to reward them with success. And to all of you for your words of encouragement.
So after all my blabbing about racing ill stop and just leave you with some photos from over the season.
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| Out on attack |
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| Training with the roomies |
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| Exploring Koln, Germany |
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| Tight corner |
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| Watching 'The Hives' with Anke and Jasmin |
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| 2nd time seeing my favorite band 'Incubus' |
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| Rockavria, Munich,Germany |
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| Up front, perspective of amount of riders |
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| Dance D-Vision, Zottegem, Belgium |
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| Roomies at electro festival |
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| Tobia from hometown Cairns visiting me in Ludwigsburg, Germany |
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| Touring |
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| Watching the hockey match with Jonas |
