Yesterday I rode 20 km to another Elite event in the scenic village of Bogaarden-Pepingen. This was another hard course with 3 significant climbs per lap, one of which was really steep ending in a cobbled section and the others in the wind; one in a field on a narrow tractor rode, the other wide open and rather long up to and past the start-finish. 16 laps were to be completed. Alot of foreign riders too the start including 5 guys from the DFL-Cyclingnews team from Great Britian, Hamish Haynes from the Jartazi team, a couple of New Zealanders, a Japanese guy in full pink kit on a pink steel framed bike like no other and me the lone Canadian one again. It was really windy and from the gun 4 guys took the gamble and rode away. No one really seemed to care, but I was not so sure it was going to be that easy as DFL had a guy in the break. After 3 laps an attack went and 25 guys rolled off the front in pursuit, me included. I think I must have been the last guy to jump across the gap as a looked back and saw nothing but a big wall of a peleton all looking at each other in the blustering wind. For the next three laps the chase was on for the leaders and the gap to the peleton stayed at about 15 seconds. Then the gap finally exploded to the still 60 rider strong peleton and we were away. We caught the leaders shortly after and the race for the top spot was on again. Attacks would go on every climb for the last half of the 120 km race and our group was getting stretched to the limit constantly with guys getting sprayed off in the crosswinds when road wasnt wide enough for the last few guys in the echelon to have shelter. I was feeling ok, but my legs were burning from the constant attacks and closing gaps. It was a tough battle and with 10 km to go and only 18 guys left the elastic finally broke and I was on the wrong end with two DFL riders, a Davo-Unibet rider and one other. We rode steady and in the last few km I was sure I might be the strongest one left. The others seemed weak on the climbs and let gaps open between them. I descided on a strategy for the finale and waited....Coming up the final climb the pace was moderate and with 400 m to go I launched with everything I had left. I looked back and had a gap and drove for the line, but with 100 m to go I blew up and was forced to take the rest of the sprint seated. I watched helplessly as the others darted past and rolled in to 18th. Not the best way to end a tough day in the wind, but its a result, any top 20s I can get I am relatively happy with. With top 20 you get your name in the national newspaper and at least 10 Euros in prize money so its alright. Haynes took the win in deserving fashion, he was strong from the start and was very active all day.
Next race on Wednesday with the Elites and if all goes well with my lisence another Pro race on Saturday. Thanks for reading, over and out.
3 comments:
No pictures of the sweet Japanese kit?
Hi Per,
I spotted your name (spelled as 'Perr') in the newspaper! Congrats: very nice result! Jef and I did an elite race in Merelbeke (near Ghent where I live). 86 competitors on a mainly flat course. However, the wind was though and decisive for the success or failure of the breakaway. We decided to mengle in the attacks from the early beginning and to try to stay within the first 30 riders in order not to get surprised. We managed quite well. It was constantly raining attacks but after 80 kms the whole bunch was still together until it broke on a long wide road offering no shelter from the nasty wind... Unlickily Jef found himself 6 places from where the gap fell. I was one of the last to get across to form a group of 30. After that 10 got away and I hesitated to get along after having tried once more to start the chase for the two leaders and form a little counter-attack. I was afraid to waste too much energy in another unsuccessful attempt. A pitty, as it seemed to be the right strike... Finally, I came in 26th: not in the newspaper but still good for 10 Eur prize money (my first for this season!) First thing I did was to buy us a cold Coke. Cheers mate! Bart
Nice work...the Bartman rides again! Thanks for the props, the papers never get my name right, Stromper, Storm and now Perr.
As for the Japanese fellow... I dont bring my camera to races normally, I have other things on my mind, he is often at the kermesses so perhaps at a later time I can give you a visual Jon.
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