Evergem

well I raced yestarday in Evergem. The race was not real long, but still a good race. We; the team had been told that one of the riders needed to win. So this we were able to do. The course was really windy, and only had one corner you could not pedal through. The guy who on the team who ended up winning did so in a sprint off the front a little bit. I was able to pick up a prime (intermediant sprint for money} wich helped to aid in the food buying process for this week. I was very pleased that the whole team worked together to pull a break back pretty quickly whe Staf Boone gave the order. I ended up 24th on the day wich would have been ok, but i was much further up when i was nudged off the road and on the sidewalk so i sprinted down the sidewalk until i found an opening and jumped back in just before the barriers started and i would not have been able to get back on the road. Depending on the weather we may race tomorrow or not until thursday. We were supposed to race in France on thursday in a pretty large Criterium, but the race director backed out of giving us start money and taking care of expenses, which he had orgionally promised the team. I had a chance to go on a new ride today out to a town called Brugge with a few guys on the team.
Other than racing, everythingis good the farm is now full with 8 riders. I have had a chance to see some of the historical Cathedrals here; which are really ornate in design.

Matt

First Flat

I raced in Ter Hand yesterday and got a pinch flat (hit a hole in a corner @ about 30 mph) with about 5 laps (18 in the race) to go. This would not have been so bad, but I was in a break wich would have guaranteed me a top top finish at least. No worries, there are many more races to come seeing as we race just about every other day.

Matt

Wondelgem

Races yestarday, in Wondelgem. About 1km from the house. The course was 5.4km with 17 turns. The race had a hand full of ex pros, the FDJ development team, Marco Polo cycling team amongst others. So the race was fast. When it was all said and done the top speed was 48mph. We started with 100+ riders and finished with about 40. the course had pretty good roads. I race again Sunday, so the number of races has picked up quite a bit. There is a race on the schedule for the 25th of May in France. This is a pretty big Criterium, so it is a good place to be seen, also a race in June that has a prime on ever single lap. So I am looking forward to what is to come.

Matt

Hello,

Well I had this week of from racing because the only people who are allowed in the races this past week are Belgium nationals. I will race again tomorrow; wed, then sat. So far things are going good still. we finally got our heater and hot water back today, it was off for the past 6-7 days. not so bad, since the shower is in the kitchen {keuken}. So when someone is cooking this helps a little bit. Also found some hair clippers left over from last year, so i can keep looking clean cut. I am really liking the fact that the bikes have right of way over cars and there are real bike lanes everywhere ane the bikes have there own traffic lights also. Cars will literally stop at a corner to let you go by before they turn and will back away from the exit of a parking lot etc. when you are coming down the street so you have enough room before they enter the street. So there is a much different feel to things here. Emily no i have not had time to go to the museums but plan to on my next complete day off. There is also chocolate everywhere, and the good stuff. Also the other day a friend and myself found a baker that gives us bread baked that day that did not sell, so we get fresh baked bread daily for free. That goes well with the farm fresh eggs every morning.

Yesterday was another race essentially this one was like the Joe Martin Crit, with the big hill and everthing, along with the 40mph {60kmph} speeds just to stay with the race, there were a couple of times where we tried to get away and one of the guys was pulling at those speeds and then shook his elbow to singal for me to pull through, I first smiled then gritted my teeth and began to move through, luckly the next guy pulled though shortly after. Divitamon Lotto had one of there scouts out watching the race, so that is very exciting to know these guys are showing up for the races already. I race again tomorrow, and this race goes past the farm where I am living.


till next time
Matt

Dronger II

The detqils for the race. The course was about 10km from the "farm", so the ride to the race was not so bad. Other than the fact that it was raining. We found the pub where registration (inscription) takes place. For this race the change room a little different, in that it was a boat hanger. Once I got dressed and ready for the race the rain stopped but the thermometer did not get higher. Once the race started everything was good. After about three laps there was a break with two guys that have won 12 of the races so far this season. So I jumped and got in, after about 7 laps or so in the break we gained such a lead the main field was pulled from the race, and our break was left to duke it out for the win. When everything was sqid and done I came across the line 9th. So I am happy with how things are going so far.

Dronger

Last night we raced in Dronger. I was able to get into the winning break in the first three laps of twenty. I was able to pull out 9th, so my first top ten here in Belgium. Also the first cold and wet race.

Matt