This may not have been a year for great athletic achievement on paper, but personally I know I was stronger this year than ever before. This road season has been all about experiences and being a part of things that very few will ever get the chance to be a part of. The highlight of the season was the criterium in Aalst. That was a spectacle like no other and will stay with me for the rest of my life. Another highlight has to be the 8 hours and 45 minutes I spent offroading through Wallonia with some incredible friends at the World Marathon MTB Championships in Vervier. When I think about this season the greatest impact it has had is leaving me with a group of friends I know I will have for life. The level of hospitality, welcoming openness and support I experienced from these people has been truly overwhelming. I know the near future holds some exciting changes for me, but I look forward to many repeat good times with the people who have made this summer and summers past in Belgium some of the richest in my life.
On my last evening in Belgium we gathered for some last goodbyes in the Sportzone. Meet the people who changed my life...
Mari Therese, Tino and Willy. The most generous family I have ever met. The last three seasons have seen them host me for 9 months.
Nathalie and Sammy, soon to be parents.
The immediate family. Sammy, Guy, Johan, Tino and Superfan #1 Pascal (you may recognize him from such pdotproductions as Aalst 100...). Missing from this photo is Steven, he was being guided by GPS on his mountain bike somewhere in Spain at the time.
The list of people to thank doesn't end there and you others know who you are, but just for fun I'll ramble off a few more. Eddy, who's need for a triple and high mechanical expectations kept me busy. Jurgen, the man with the never ending plan and who along with Tino, supplier of a never ending flow of Saeco juice. The other Teirlincks, for birthday parties and political enlightenment. Geert, Hans, Mario, Gregory, Josan Pascal, Chris and many, many more.
Thanks again and remember, I'll be back.
Nathalie and Sammy, soon to be parents.
The immediate family. Sammy, Guy, Johan, Tino and Superfan #1 Pascal (you may recognize him from such pdotproductions as Aalst 100...). Missing from this photo is Steven, he was being guided by GPS on his mountain bike somewhere in Spain at the time.The list of people to thank doesn't end there and you others know who you are, but just for fun I'll ramble off a few more. Eddy, who's need for a triple and high mechanical expectations kept me busy. Jurgen, the man with the never ending plan and who along with Tino, supplier of a never ending flow of Saeco juice. The other Teirlincks, for birthday parties and political enlightenment. Geert, Hans, Mario, Gregory, Josan Pascal, Chris and many, many more.
Thanks again and remember, I'll be back.
2 comments:
Schoon Per echt waar! BTW you'll have to come back next year to meet the little Souffriau!
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