Second Interclub (UCI) Race

So we pull up to the parking lot set aside for the team cars, of the teams that will be participating in the race. What do I see the Davitamon Lotto car parked next to the Quickstep car, which just happens to be a little way down from the Unibet team car. In all there were about 6 pro teams involved in the race. This was probably the most difficult terrain I have raced on. when we were on traditional roads they were good, but when we were on cobbles they were bone shaking. I raced over the MUUR which just happens to be included in the Tour of Flanders along with some other long rough sections of cobbles. The Muur is really steep and windy. The scene was just like on television when you see people lined on both sides of the road cheering and trying to keep the riders moving. I have to say that I was more worried about not getting caught on the wrong side of the split, but I did not have any luck on the part so I went on a solo mission on the other side of the climb to make it across to the front group. Luckly the team car came past and handed me two fresh bottles and a coke to keep me going. I only had a couple of swigs of the coke and ended up just throwing it because I was trying to chase and could not with the coke in my hand. After a little bit a few guys came across to me and we made it to the caravan just behind the frong group. With a little daredevil riding we made it to the middle of the caravan then the next few cars did not want us to pass. Now you are thinking how is that the road should have plenty of room for both the cars and riders, and I chuckle saying no the road was barely wide enough for just the car. Since the cars were blocking up and a gap was opening up between the cars they excellerated and we lost the caravan. So once we got on the next cobble section they just disapeared out of reach and our official bid for bridging across was gone. Which was not so good because I was feeling really good and just sat in the wrong place at the wrong time and missed getting a really good result.

Till next time

Matt

Still cool and raining

Hmmm. I am sure you are curious about what experiences have occurred off the bike here in Belgium. Periodically someone will get bored and want a haircut, so one of the guys will usually volunteer to cut hair. Well one guy was getting his haircut and ended up with some bald spot on the back of his head. The even funnier part was that he did not want it to be fixed and has left it for the past couple of weeks. I am not sure if I have told you this yet, but four wheelers are legal to drive on the streets here, which can look quite funny when you are accustomed to seeing them on the road. I have had a chance to make a trip or two into town to see different sights. I have to say I have never been to a place where there are so many churches and very large and artistically designed. Sint Barths Cathedral has one of the oldest and largest oil paintings surviving today that is made up of I believe 13 panels. Due to my trip getting extended I hope to see more sights in my down time.
Now to the racing. I have had some good rides lately. Yesterday everything was panning out to be a good result. This was until we came through the roundabout and I hit the ground pretty hard and slid, due to the fact that it has been raining for hours and the surface on the roundabout was slick. I got away with scrapes on my hip, knee and torso. The only real damage to the bike was the cap on my left shifter cracked and came off. I have today and tomorrow off from racing and then on Wednesday I will be racing in an interclub. This is supposed to be a brutal race with more cobbled climbs and roads. I thought having done a race called Rouge Roubaix in Louisiana I would be a little prepared. Man was I wrong. The first time I raced on cobbles my hands were tingling for about a half hour after getting done. I will give you guys an update when I get back from the race on Wednesday.

Matt

Whats new

Here goes the last couple of races. Two days ago I raced in Holland again, which was not so bad because the ride from the farm to the start line on the bike was only about and hour or so. The race was quick and windy. The race schedule says it was a criterium, well I beg to differ. Since the course was over two miles long. The next day we had another race that was optional, but I rode to the race just to see how I felt and decide if I would race or not. I rolled to the pub where you sign in and decided that I was probably not ready to that days race, but Staf Boone decided that I should have a strong coffee and see how I felt after abit. I ended up feeling pretty good in relation to the previous thirty minutes, which was probably not 100 percent. I went ahead and entered the race and had an agreement with Staf that if I started to feel under the weather I could pull out. The race was 16 lap and 8 euro primes on every lap well after a couple laps I found myself off the front and with about a minute gap. I ended up with 4 primes. I ended pu getting reeled back in by two guys Patric and Mario. Patric who rode for CSC and finishe top ten and top twenty in races like Paris Roubaix. When they caught me with the rest of the peleton I expected a counter attack so I prepared and was luck because the whole group went with them and I jumped in the middle, then they attacked on the cobble section and my scewer came loose to they are off the front and I am losing contact with the main field since I am laying on my bars and trying to adjust my front scewer. I tried to get the guys on the team to slow the field downe for one minute and I would get back on, since I was still feeling good, but they did not get my signal and rode away. I ended up 15th on the day.
Matt

Whats up?

Well; I did my first interclub two days ago. The race was 160km with cobbles sections that rattled you to the bone; there were broken wheels and flat tires all over the place. We go one man in the lead break and I was in the chase group. There was a 70+km loop with a 10km loop that we did 7.5 times to finish the race. The pace was just as fast as the kermess races, but this lasted for 4hrs. So I was pretty tired by the end. My placing was 35th, not the best but I am happy for my first interclub. I have been told that they tend to be harder than some of the pro races just because a large number of the guys are bidding for a contract or are ex-division one professionals.
Yestarday I lined up for another race, with 11 laps (rondas}. My plan was to just sit in and roll with guys but not put in my own attack and use the day as a solid training session. About 2/3 of the way through the second lap, I found myself off the front with 6 other guys. This break ened up staying away for the whole race and I crossed the line in 6th. Just did not have the snap needed to close the deal in the final 250 meters, but I think my sprint is getting better.

Matt

Late Update

Everything is going well right now, I am racing againg later today. I have had a few races in the past week. They have gone well in that I am riding stronger and more intellegently. The last race I finished 13th and finished 3rd for the bunch sprint. This was good because we got two of our riders down the road. I got nipped at the line by about half a wheel. The race before that was a hilly race in relation to Belgium. Still even with the hills all the guys here still ride in the big ring. On Sunday there is an Interclub race with some cobble climbs, should be interesting.
Sorry for a short update, but I need to get ready for the race.

Matt