Hey Guys,
Heve'nt blogged in a while, feels like i havent spent much time in the country for the last month or so. But this is mainly thanks to Gary Sadler, Pete Kay and all of the other sponsors and support we have had throught the season. Without these guys i wouldnt have been able to race, yet have all of the great opertunities that ive had. One of the best of these, was our recent trip to Belgium.
When Gary suggested a trip away to Belgium late July i took his hand off. I would be joined on this trip with my team mates Tom Armstrong and Josh Knights and the all important Peter Kay to manage us. Me and Tom stayed over at Peter's house on the Monday night ready for an early drive to the Dover ferry port where we sailed over to Calais where Pete would drive us to our hotel in Borlo. Which to add was deffinetly the nicest place i have ever stayed in, the people there and the rooms themselves vere unbelivible.
Our first race of the stay was on the Wednesday night just 30km away from Borlo. None of us knew what to expect so it was of paramount importance that Danny Stevens; part owner of the hotel and pro cyclist coach was with us. We signed on, got our number and frame number and got ready to race. The race would take place over 20 laps of a really tough circuit. We were more active than neccessary with Josh finishing up 12th, me 17th and Tom snapping a chain with 10 to go.
Unfortunately we had to wait untill the Saturday untill we could race again. We arrived at this race to find a larger field with the Belgian champion featuring in the start list. We started of this race with much more experience under our belts. The lap was larger than what we had experienced on the Wednesday and featured some strong crosswinds on the wide open main road. The race split to pieces with Tom making the first split with 6 other top riders. He finished up 6th with me taking the bunch sprint for 8th and Josh not finishing with a puncture 2km into the race. Bad luck for him but lots learnt for all of us.
Our next taste of Belgian racing was to be only a day after on the Sunday. This was only 20km away from our hotel in Borlo so we rode out to this one. This was yet another tough course with some real tough drags and some super strong cross-winds. An Isrelian rider attacked on the first drag and claimed a large gap on his own. I rode across to him with another Belgian rider and another crossed alone. This left the Dutch National Champion isolated in the bunch. We gained a lead of upwards of a minute. I finished up in 3rd with Tom and Josh contesting the bunch sprint claiming 9th and 10th. A dapmener was put on this great result with a visit from the Uci doping control for me and Tom, keeping us from getting home untill early evening, and resulting in me missing the podium. All another experience in the bag.
After a couple more training rides arount the iconic Ardennes and the Mur De Huy, Pete gave us the chance to stay a few more days to allow us to ride more races on the following Saturday and Sunday. This extended stay featured a couple of visits to the Eneco tour and the city of Liege. Really inspiring stuff thanks to Pete.
Saturdays race brought the teams first international win with Josh riding away from a break away group including the Belgian national champion. Me and Tom attacked on the last lap and time-trialled to top ten positions, 20 seconds up on the bunch. Another top result that brought some great publicity and some invites to top races next season.
The race on the Sunday was a bit of a let down from the quality belgian racing that we had been accustomed to. The race took place on a pretty flat circuit and with a range of international riders, including 7 from Garmin Slipstream. It was going to be a fast one. I made it just over half way before the heat and tiredness from the past 12 days cought up on me and i was deopped, my only DNF out here. The boys faired well with Tom securing a top 20 and Josh coming in mid bunch.
On top of all this the trip really was an experience of a lifetime. But this was all thanks to the help and support from; MOUNTIVATION, Gary Sadler, Peter Kay, Onix Bikes, BioRacer, CNP, Schwalbe, and Carrera. Without these people we couldnt have done it.
Ciao,
Matt.
