Yesterday I did my first true pro race of 2006. It almost didnt happen though as the commisaires were being sticky about a rule stating that foreign riders without a continental or pro contract or Belgian lisence cannot participate in races with proffesional designation. About 30 minutes before the start team manager Tino worked his mediating skills and got me a start... It was a nice little 170km outing with 165 riders taking the start in the beautiful town of Puivelde, a sunny afternoon on cobbled street outside the gothic period church in the town square. The main attraction of the day was the appearance of Nick Nuyens on the start with another QuickStep teammate. It had been published in papers all over Belgium that Nuyens would make his return to racing after a break following his very successful classics run this spring. The spectators flocked by the hundreds and lined several sections of the 13 km lap. Also on the start was Leukemans from Davitamon-Lotto, a Rabobank rider and several full pro teams including Chocolade Jacques, Jartazi, Collstrop-Palmans, DFL-Cyclingnews (Downing brothers) and the usual other continental teams of Colba, Profel and Pictoflex.
From the start the pace was really high and my legs were not feeling the way I wanted them to feel. However after a few laps I was starting to feel the flow and I was back in action. Jacques and Jartazi took control late in the race to bring back the 30 second breakaway and the final 10 km were one long train leading into a bunch sprint. After 3 hours and 43 minutes I crossed the line in 63rd position, thats a 45km/hr average for 170 km...gutter riding and lots of single file pain train... Last year I started two pro races and only lasted 120 km in both of them. To finish this year was awesome and to finish well into the top half was an added bonus. My teammate Bart finished in 87th a solid performance.
The form is really coming along and and I am recovering better for every race that goes by. This weekend I have a 170km, 200 rider interclub that with my current form the team expects a top 20 finish. If I can get in the break on Sunday I could have a great race. Should be fun!
From the start the pace was really high and my legs were not feeling the way I wanted them to feel. However after a few laps I was starting to feel the flow and I was back in action. Jacques and Jartazi took control late in the race to bring back the 30 second breakaway and the final 10 km were one long train leading into a bunch sprint. After 3 hours and 43 minutes I crossed the line in 63rd position, thats a 45km/hr average for 170 km...gutter riding and lots of single file pain train... Last year I started two pro races and only lasted 120 km in both of them. To finish this year was awesome and to finish well into the top half was an added bonus. My teammate Bart finished in 87th a solid performance.
The form is really coming along and and I am recovering better for every race that goes by. This weekend I have a 170km, 200 rider interclub that with my current form the team expects a top 20 finish. If I can get in the break on Sunday I could have a great race. Should be fun!
Nick Nuyens, 2005 Omloop Het Volk winner and main attraction on the start yesterday.
6 comments:
good racin per, sounds like the forms comin'
Awesome Per. I know whose wheel to follow at nationals.
Who won this race?
Dimitri De Fauw won the race, he rides for the Chocolade Jacques team
Hi Per,
Good ride! Glad you could start after all.
For the record: the Rabobank rider was Roy Sentjens who reentered competition after having suffered an illness of the nervous system! He won Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne 3 years ago.
Nuyens' teammate was Sébastien Rosseler: muscles from the Ardennes but missed the season's start with a broken legg.
You forgot the Landbouwkrediet-Colnago team who came up with a pretty strong selection! They had to work hard to catch the 15 man break including Nuyens since no teammate in it!
See you on sunday for another succesful race! Greets, Bart
Great job, Per! It must feel so motivating to be keeping up with the big boys! Good on you!
You'll beat Nick next time. Good show.
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