The bunch in full flight through the streets of Liedekerke during Stage 5.
Over the top of the cobbled climb early on in Stage 5.
In a world of hurt. Top of the cobbles Stage 5.
The racing started on Wednesday with a 155 km on rolling roads with two significant climbs per lap. From the beginning I was at the front and got on race radio in the first lap in a small break, but the speed was super high and nothing got away in the early stages of the race. Midway through, on the rolling section before the biggest climb a significant split happened, putting about 40 riders up the road. Fortunately the team I was riding for, Josan-Mercedes, had three guys up in the front so our day was looking good. Despite missing the major split, I managed to bridge to a group with 2 small laps to go and we eventually put several minutes in to the peleton, but never managed to bridge to the break which by now was in three pieces. I the end I finished in the 60's and our team was 10th on team GC with close to 200 riders and 30 teams I was satisfied with day one.
The second stage was another road race. With 7 laps of a 22 km course it was a long day and the howling wind and 80% narrow winding field roads made it an incredibly hard day in the gutter. I was on the rivet constantly, giving 100% effort just to stay in the wheel of the rider in front riding single file in the gutter. Riders who couldn't follow would pull out leaving gaps which resulted in surges, its hard enough going 100% let alone having to go 120% every couple of minutes to close the gaps. After 4 laps I was still surviving and just focusing on staying upright, out of the wind and finishing...and then I flatted. I got a really fast change from the team car and after 15 minutes of sucking exhaust in the cars I was back safe and sound in the bunch. In the end I finished around the same place as the day before. Our team had a rough day, but one of our riders got in the break putting him firmly in the top 25 on GC. For a first year espoir he was doing an incredible job.
Friday saw an 11 km time trial in head and cross winds. With no ITT equipment I was in the minority and I feared that my top 65 GC placing was about to vanish. I managed to ride the course in 16'28, over two minutes behind the winner from Davitamon-Lotto who road the course with only one gear, a 54-11, it was ridiculous, super talented rider.
Then came Saturday and the Affligem-Asse stage. One paper this was the hardest stage with 3 climbs per lap and 6 laps to cover. My legs were absolute junk and I couldn't stand up to pedal and crest the climbs without my legs screaming and stiffening up. I was forced to sit and spin up everything, which worked for a few hours. At the end of lap 4 the bunched surged hard over the last climb and I flew backwards in the bunch as I had to remain seated in a low gear. Over the top and into the false flat everyone was in the gutter and I cracked. I road another lap in a small group and then got pulled and given a predicted time. It was the beginning of the end of my Ronde.
Yesterday was another hard day with cold temperatures, plenty of wind, lots of corners and again three climbs per lap over 6 laps for just over 160km in my "home" town of Liedekerke. All the climbs came in succession making it a crucial section. But before the climbs was a pile of corners to make things interesting and make finding a good position that much more of a challenge. I survived a few laps and then on the long cobbled climb I was completely finished. My legs were completely seized and at the top of the climb when the pace accelerated hard into a flat section I couldn't hold on any longer. I also managed to develop an nasty cough and tight lungs in the two hours I lasted, it was rough.
All in all the race was a good experience and a great chance to ride with a bigger team. I am disappointed in my performance and would have liked to have been actually able to race the last two days. Apparently my bad legs are due to a bad massage I had on Thursday and Friday evening. The person giving the massage, despite me clearly stating I was not used to getting massaged, gave a really deep massage. This is not good for the legs I was told afterwards, even though it felt like my legs were loosening up nicely at the time. Hindsight is always 20/20.
Now I get to race with the really big guns in Aalst this evening. Look for an exciting report soon!
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