The toughest kermesse course I know of. Last year I finished 45th at this race on a reasonably good day and just missed the money. This year after racing 65km with the pros the day before I knew I could either be gutted for this hilly circuit race or be on good form and fine tuned for performance after the previous days effort. Turns out it was a bit of both.
With 18 laps to cover of a very demanding course of which you spend almost half the lap going up it was a day to be going well. In addition the small 65 man field, wind and high level of riders made it a good full day in the hurtbox. Early on a break of 6 went clear, but in the end they were brought back by the efforts of a counter attacking Davitamon-Win for Life duo of Belgiums top U23 riders. With around 12 riders scattered about up the road I went on the attack with 2 km to go bridging to a solo escapy. We got caught going into the final km and I was left to bleed through my eyes and try to sprint in a straight line with lactic acid spurting out my ears to 28th. Alot of work for 28th, but with the level of riders and selectiveness of the course the team is happy and it bodes well for Sundays almost equally challenging circuit in Pepingen. Last year I cracked the top 20 there in the second break survived the whole field road, rolling and cobbled mess in style...I plan to do it again.
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