2015 season so far

Welcome 2015 finally back in action sorry for the wait. Since my last write up its been a busy few months. After moving places in Belgium, I only now have some steady net, so its time to update.

Team photo

Well im already 13 races deep in the season. Legs are getting better and better each race. After a long snowy winter training in Germany. It was back to Belgium to kick off the season in February. My first 2 races back I didnt finish, it was a shock to the system again at how fast the pace can be. Although after getting the initial cob webs out the way I was back in the grind.

Early season 

in tournai rugged up

Hilly race in Gooik still cold

Getting warmer

So the first races, which you can see the results for in the palmares section of my website, I was more or less just hanging in finishing mid pack. Then was the first Pro race of the year in Wanzele basically in the hurt locker for 161k was just glad to finish and tick it off for first of the season. In the same week I had a top competition UCI 1.2 race in Ieper. This was just too early in the season and I was blown out the back and DNF.(did not finish)

First pro race in the year Wanzele pain...

Line up for UCI 1.2 race Ieper Kattoers

Next race in Zele would be the first crash of the season was a wet,windy day. I made sure to stay out front to keep clear of crashes but as fate has it riders came down in front of me in a roundabout and i went over the top. Was lucky to come off with just a few bruises but still managed to chase back on and come in for 60th.

Up front in Zele

Afterwards I returned to Germany and spent some time training  and raced in the hometown race Zusmarshausen schwarzbraupreis. This would prove to be one of the windiest days ive been on the bike basically watching people lean there bike near horizontal just to stay upright. This wasn't my day coming in for 100th/150riders.

As I arrived back to Belgium, could feel the form coming. Had a string of races were positioning was good and was making the main breakaways but just not quite yet having enough fitness to hold it the whole distance finishing upper bunch but form is still growing as its still early season.

Driving the peleton up the hill in Lierde

Off the front in Evergem

Evergem

Pete helping me after my rear brake came off in the cobble section, 

Next up was the  the first 2 day stage race of the year in Gaverstreek. A tough race heading up some famous Belgium climbs including the Oude Kawermount a tough 2k climb of cobbles. Though it would turn out that I had some very bad luck on my side. 2nd crash of the season happened 30k into the race once again lucky to dodge any real harm just some scratches was able to chase back on in the cross winds which left me gasping abit for air. Then 70k in on the cobble section my rear brake started making sounds and popping on and off, next thing bolt holding it in came off and the break is hanging by the cable. Called the team car and took the whole thing off. ( riding downhill on cobbles with only front brake gets the heart pumping) By now had lost contact with main peleton and was lucky enough to have a team mate help me back to a smaller group where we rode to the finish but were just outside the time limit.

The next day as I was pulled from the Gaverstreek, I did another race in Kruishoutem a kermesse. Was a hilly day were the peleton just shredded to bits. The legs were still bit sore but managed to bridge to the main breakaway but after another hour in the red the legs were too cooked  and rolled in with smaller group for 39th.

So there it is a brief run up of whats been happening. Will try keep more regular race updates, thanks for reading till next time.

Finishing The Year.

Well ill pick up where i left, my last race of the season in October at the Rund Am Schloss Bruschal, Germany.  The weather was peachy and the crowds had all come out to watch the short course points criterium around town.

The race started quick but my legs felt good coming off some fast racing in Belgium So it was easy to stay up front. I tried a few attacks but no one was willing to come with so I settled back in the bunch.

Keeping up front

On front strecthing out the peleton

In the end with sprint points every 5 laps i came in 13th overall on points and 6th overall in the last sprint. I was happy with the legs but it was clear that I have to work to do on my sprinting fitness for the next season.

It was a big relief to finish the season with some good results and big races under my belt and most of all that I stayed healthy and upright on the bike. After a long season I took a few weeks off the bike for my Winter break and spent 2 weeks in Portugal. With a hired car, some couch surfing and some good and a lot of bad weather along the way, It turned out to be just the break i needed to come back refreshed and ready to rock.

  I am now 6 weeks back into training for the 2015 season. Until now I was lucky that the Winter had only brought on rain and cold days, which although uncomfortable you can still ride through. Though now the snow has arrived and some days, like today I'm snowed in 'literally'. The streets are packed with snow, so when i cant get out for a roll I turn to the turbo trainer, swimming and running which is also a nice way to mix it up.

As for the next few weeks till season starts again in February, I will remain here in Germany training and enjoying the festive season. I am also happy to say that I will be staying with ASFRA racing team for 2015. The team has a great selection of races for the year so I look forward to gritting my teeth and racing among the best. Lastly I would like to say a big thank you to everyone that has supported me over the year especially my family and loved ones. Also a big thank you to my coach Luc. Without them none of this dream would be possible.

So a Merry Christmas and Happy new year to all and see you in the 2015.

Part 2, ending the season Belgium style.

I definitely hit the ground running once I arrived back in Belgium. First race back was an Interclub ( a national calender race) on the Saturday. A 170k blast out to kick start the legs. I was still feeling a bit wrecked from driving 10 hours the night before from Germany. Though old habits keep me good for a peleton finish coming in 63rd/155 riders. I backed up the next day with another Interclub 140k though I really did not feel fully recovered and after 100k I lost touch with the peleton and pulled out.

After a few days of rest and a nice visit to my coach for a crack and straightening. I felt much refreshed and my next race was in Roeselare with a quick 70k Criterium. Off the bat I felt great and moved into a early breakaway. Although we got caught with 10k to go and it came down to a Bunch sprint were I only managed to come in 17th. Though was very pleased with the legs.

My 3rd Interclub, 134kms in Meerhout, was a real test of strength. Though the course was quite flat, with an exception of a little hill in the middle, the typical strong winds of Belgium rocked up that day. It started fast and within the first 50k a bunch of 20 riders got away. With the winds how they were, there was no chance for bridging the gap solo you needed at least a good 10 man group with you. After sitting in the peleton getting inpatient, I with another team mate made a move and just got lucky that we had enough working people come with. We got clear of the peleton and were on the chase down of the front group. The next 30k I was in a world of pain burying myself to finally bridge the gap.

With 20k to go another breakaway of 10 riders got away and this end up being the winning group. I was just so spent I had nothing to chase, and I came in with my group 28th. In the end because of the race rules of which if you are 2 minutes behind the leaders your pulled out the race, basically the whole peleton was pulled out. So their was only 45 finishers out of 111 riders. Thats how strong the winds were that day, So i was happy to have made the main breakaway though on the same hand was disappointed to have come so close.

Finally it was time to step up with the big boys. My first Professional Kermesse race the 82nd Textielprijs in Vichte, Wow was I in for a treat. 168k on a punchy hilly course, our first hour we averaged 50k/hr, to follow our second hour 48 and third 47.

To tell the truth the first hour I was barely hanging on but after the initial shock I got more comfortable in the pack. By the third hour though the speed was taking its toll and I couldn't respond when the peleton split up.

I end up merging with some of my teammates and rode to the finish line coming in 96th out of 157 riders. Definitely not the best result but none the less a great learning step.

So now I had gotten the first pro race out the way. It was time to keep the ball rolling with another one 2 days later ;). The 89th Kermesse Pro de Stekene, 157k long and on a dead flat course, I was strapped in for a fast race. The weather was nice and warm and my legs were feeling super fresh. I played all my cards right staying in the top 30 riders the whole race.

 A small breakaway got away mid race but was pulled back with 20k to go. I was getting ready for a bunch sprint and I got to say shit just gets crazy near the end. With 5k to go people are just overtaking each other anyway possible. Riding in gutters,on the grass,walkways,dirt tracks however to get near the front. With 2k to go I was sitting peachy in about 15th position but then a touch of the brakes of the guy in front dodging a pothole sent my speed from around 60k to 30k and that was it, I couldn't regain for a good sprint. I pulled in for 50th out of 109 riders. I was very disappointed as i knew i had the legs to go much better. But thats racing, although I was glad for my second pro race to feel fresh and be up front all day.

That race was one of the last of the season, So afterwards I deiced I wanted to do one more race In Germany to finish the season off strong. Stay tuned for my final write up of the season.

Time to update, Finishing off season in Europe. Part 1

So ive finally got some free time to update my blog. Ill try write up about some of the races but not all as ive already been racing for almost 2 months back in Europe so ill keep it short with more photos ( i prefer that ) Lets start with my first race back, Germany

The weather forecast always seems to do the complete opposite in Germany. The day of the race apparently meant to be brief showers, nope BIG storm. Along with a crash on the Autobahn which made us late for the race, it wasn’t a good start. 

The race was on a very short Criterium course, so basically all cornering not much space for overtaking. Starting from the back I managed over the race to make it to front of peleton but a breakaway group had already split off the front. 

From then I pulled a little at the front but didn't have much for the sprint at the end and came in 30^th. Got to say this race really tested my nerves coming into some sharp corners in the pouring rain at 60 + just had to have faith/luck that my tyres would stick to the ground. 

Gold Fever Le Tour 2014

The Gold Fever wrapped up for another year. What can i say it was a great weekend for racing. The sun was out in force making sure their was some fast racing.

The event kicked off in the outback town of Charters Towers inland a hour from Townsville with an Individual Time Trial.

This would end up being my let down for General Classification contention for the tour finishing a poor 16th.

Though in the Stage 2 Criterium  I came with my racing legs, 

Creating the break with  Jacob Restall of team Charter Mason and Jayden Copp of Bianchi DCM Arbitrage we managed to successfully break away from the peleton.

Start of break away

We would later be joined by  2 others riders who managed to bridge the gap. Though from then on we just put time into the Peleton. 

In the end it came down to a 5 man sprint, starting my sprint a bit to early I managed to get 4th. Along with putting a gap of almost 40secs into the field was a good way to end the first day of racing. Great job Restall who took the honors on the day and Copp solid ride. 

5 way sprint finish

 The next morning was a 121k road race back to Townsville. A undulating highway out in the bush, which is virtually a straight road all the way to the finish until we would turn into Oak Valley for a small circuit to the finish.

Grabbing Water Bottle

The race started slow, besides a few efforts for the intermediate sprints unfortunately I only came away with a  few 4ths. After passing through the second water stop, I put some pressure on trying to get the pace going.







This managed to wake up some people and a few more attacks came which helped bring the pace up. From then on we were able to burn off some weaker riders leaving a breakaway group of 12.

With 20k to go i tried my luck making another breakaway attempt but it was all pulled back on the final hill, along with a wild horse which had thrown its owner off and ran near the riders this made for a interesting/scary finish.

As it come down to the line i just had nothing for a sprint and rolled in for 8th.

This was me after the race being interviewed by Cameron Elmore, cheers Cameron for the entertaining commentary throughout the weekend. So at the end of the tour  I came in 9th on General Classification, which was mainly because of my timetrial so dropped from 16th to 9th.

Oh well was still happy with form and look forward to heading back to Europe next week. Before i leave Australia again I would like to say a big thank you to my family for all their support without it none of this would be possible. To my girlfriend for being my rock. To my coach Luc Wante for taking me on. To my team ASFRA racing for giving me a opportunity and to everyone that has lent a helping hand, it has all been much appreciated.