Weekend in Belgium.

If you can race in Belgium, you can race anywhere. I've been told this countless times, and I completely agree. The racing is so aggressive, and so different compared to anywhere else, it's always a great experience and I can't wait to get back out there in a few weeks time.

So, myself and Scottish team mate, Jack Barrett made the journey to Belgium via Eurostar,  and a local train to get ourselves to the apartment in Oudenaarde. Once we got there, it was time to quickly settle down and get some rest, ahead of a tough weekend. The next day we got out on the bikes for 90 mins along the canal, to get the previous day's travelling out the legs. 

To the racing! On Saturday we were racing in Bissegem, a 30+km ride to get there, giving us some nice mileage aswell as racing. The race was fast, but I felt comfortable enough to get involved with moves and stay at the front of the race without too much trouble, although I only finished 47th out of about 100 starters, not a bad start, but nothing to shout about. 

'Full gas'

On Sunday, we were racing in Zwijnaarde, not quite as long a ride over as the day before, but still a good 25km. The course included a section of cobbles just after the finish line, and a few corners in close succession just before it, which made it a tough course and it was so vital to stay as far up the field as possible. I managed to do this quite well, but I didn't have the form to attempt to bridge across to the group of around 20 riders who had moved off the front. I then spent the rest of the race in the top 20/25 riders in the main bunch, which was getting smaller and smaller, lap by lap. I began to feel the strain of the race and not being in the first 10-15 riders really hurt when we were strung out in the gutter, as riders pulled out of the line, unable to hold the wheel in front. Onto the last lap, it was a bit manic, riders pushing and shoving for a top 30, the only reason to do this in my opinion is the prize money, so I joined in. I didn't manage to get anywhere though, coming in 59th out of 150 starters. Numbers off, recovery drink, food and change of clothes, it was time to ride home, 30km's and an early start the next morning to catch my train.

First experience of under 23 racing in Belgium was a decent one, with this weekend only being my 3rd and 4th races of the season, and very little form, I am sure in a couple of months time, in these sorts of races, I can be challenging the front hitters. For now though, just finishing in the front half and learning how the under 23 'lads' race over in Belgium, is an experience ticked off the list and I can't wait to race there again.

Taylor