GP Stad Zottegem & Ronde van Midden Netherlands

Since I was last updating I have moved accommodation to the Netherlands (Geleen).

It is really nice and the training has a lot more variety. But I have also raced another 2 times.

GP Zottegem (1.1):

From all the pre race talk it was suppose to be a really brutal race. It was hard and grippy at times but easier than i was expecting. The race started with 1 big loop and 4 'local laps'.

It was super fast for the first hour (Av 49) and the days break didnt manage to form until 60km or so.

After that a couple of teams set about controlling and bringing the group back. but from the 12 guys up the rode only 2 or 3 survived. In the last lap it started getting really dodgy as guys wanted the best position for the last 5km which was rather techy. In the final run in. I wasnt in fantastic position and a little split happened with 1km to go.

Ronde van Midden Netherlands (1.2):

This race was just yesterday and one of the wettest races ive done all year.

I wasn't to concerned though as it wasn't mega cold. At the start I knew I had to be active because there weren't a lot of teams to chase if a big break went. I got away after 10k solo. It was ok but just as I got swept up the counter (16 guys) went clear.

I thought that this would be race over but the Pelo kept reasonable speed and they were only sitting around 2mins up the road.

With 120km clocked we hit the Dyke and the wind started coming from the side ! I was in ok placement but not good enough as a few guys formed a group that went across to the break.

After around 40kms of Dyke action it had thinned out the bunch but. groups must have got back on.

At the finish we thought the bunch was sprinting for around 20th place. but it was really sketchy...A guy
nearly took me and Alex Meenhorst down at the 1k to go banner.

Thats all for the moment.

Kieran

Getting my tourist on

Exploring new roads with Chris 

Dutch Food Valley Classic (first uci 1.1)

So Thursday arvo i headed into the clean and tidy and smooth roads of the Netherlands. For my second race for the team.

I was a wee bit nervous as I woke up Friday morning because it was said to be another step up from the Pro Kermesse a couple of days earlier.

But come race day, once I was in the Pelo. I was really focused and concentrated to have a 'big ride'
I got caught out with bunch placing a few times and had to work hard to get back up the bunch.

I also have to mention how much more organised the racing is. The first 25km was insane and I was mixing it to try and get in a move but once the big teams block the road they just chill then slowly work up the chase. Rabobank showed amazing control, they did basically all the chase. I was hanging tight in the group but with 12k to go cresting a climb, I pushed my Campg shifter but there was nothing there. I kept pushing it but just nothing so that was me done, I had to free wheel the decent and then spin to the finish in the gear that I was left with.

Bit gutting that I couldn't have had a dig from the Peloton. But I am pleased at the same time to get that 1 under the belt.

Any way no time to relax too much, GP stad Zottegem Tue

KH

Kermesse life & Marco Polo introduction.

So I have been in Belgium for just over a week all ready.

Things are on the up for me.
 I have already knocked out 3 races (and who knows how many Km's)

Yesterday I had my first full blown Pro Race with Marco
Heusden Pro Kermesse 
It had 180+ starters and on some small roads it was very nervy in the Bunch to say the least.
Once the race got going I wasn't prepared to fight for front positioning.
But soon enough I got the aggression  (elbows out) and moved forward (which is defiantly easier coming out of the corners). It was full throttle pretty much the whole 170km with Av speed 46

I came in with the Bunch and did a semi sprint for 38th but it was seriously dodgy!

I have to say meeting the team for the first time was good. A lot of riders and staff names to remember! But the whole setup is really well looked after and im really looking forward to the rest of the racing.

The 2 build up races 
My other 2 races were normal kermesses which I used to get the race speed and intensity back into me.
They are always hard. I took 15th and an 11th (and had a long 3 up break as well).



Next Races on the Cards 
> 17.08 Dutch Food Valley Classic (Ned)
> 21.08 GP Stad Zottegem

Stay tuned for more fun times
KH