Off Season Report....So Far!

Its Christmas time, which means the first half of the off season is coming to an end. Time has flown by since finishing up my season in Belgium mid October. The body was certainly in need of recovery, after hitting the ground too many times in the second half of the season. Not least because on two occassions I was hit by cars, with the last time coming just a week before the end of the season. Although I was still to race, these sort of things are bound to take there toll on the body. Luckily I have a really great Chiropractor here in the UK who sorts me out in no time!

I decided to take more time off than usual, until the body felt restored to some form of normality. Still, there wasnt exactly much time to just put my feet up. I've already been back to Belgium twice since returning mid October (clearly I cant keep away from the heartland), although it did also include a party or two aswell as watching the Koppenberg Cross and a night at the Gent Six day. Ive also been up to Scotland for the Braveheart dinner as a guest of Callum Gough and not long after this it was a trip to Bradford for the Dave Rayner fund dinner. Having been supported by the Dave Rayner Fund in 2010 I am happy to say that I have just been told that I will also be a supported rider again in 2011, something I am most grateful for. In addition to the Dave Rayner Fund, The Grays Public Purposes and Recreational Charity (a local charity to me) have provided support for 2011 as they did for 2010, which again I am most grateful for.

The biggest change and development that has occured ahead of 2011 is that I am now working with David Harmon, the voice of British Eurosport, of the Spokesmen Agency. As I continue to make my way in the sport, having the support of David is going to be a huge help to me and I look forward to what we can do in 2011 and beyond.

Amongst all this I have of course started my training for 2011. A mixture of cycling, running, swimming and my usual routine of strength/core/conditioning work, has got me feeling more like a cyclist again. Its been a little stop-start at times, having also come down with the flu a few weeks back, however its all been contributing towards to the base, which will ofcourse be ramped up come the new year. We've also had more snow here in the South East of England than I have ever seen before, which has meant less time on the road. Luckily for me I am a bit of a turbo trainer addict and so clocking up the hours still has not been a problem. And recently I was sent through some Cycleops rollers from Paligap, which have been a very nice addition and helped me to mix things up that little bit more.

Throw in a weekend at Le Beau Velo in Shoreditch, London, for a catch up with the guys there and a valuable bike fitting session and you could say its still been a fairly busy couple of months. The festive holidays are here and I look forward to enjoying a nice christmas at home with the family. Come the new year I will be looking to head to sunnier parts where ill be thinking of nothing but training. Until then......

Seasons Greetings....Happy Christmas!!! x

End of Season Report!

So the end of the season has come. All in all its been a good year. Ive learned a lot, showed my strength (although sometimes a little too much) and certainly had some success along the way. My form and my strength increased throughout the entire first half of the season, where I took my first win in Belgium aswell as having a number of podium places. Since then the luck hasnt gone my way. Theres been one thing after another thats stopped me building on the success from the first half of the season. Theres still been some good top 10 rides and some very close calls when it comes to adding to the win tally but not the success I expected, but thats sport eh!

Since the last blog post there have been some highlights in between the misfortunes. Having rode aggressively to make the the break in Eernegem, I did what I know best and went for broke by attacking the break of 17 and was to get away solo in the last 8km of the race. Going through the line for the bell lap (taking my second primie of the day) I had myself a good 10 seconds. Two other riders were to come across and there was certainly some firepower there, but this proved to be too dangerous for the remaining riders in the break and we was brought back a few km's from the end. It was a brave attempt for freedom but on this occasion it wasnt to be. Despite recovering before it came to the sprint, I was too far back when it opened up and I ended up 14th. Disappointed with the end result after my attempt to win the race, but with the quality of riders chasing me, it was always going to be a tall order. I certainly stirred things up though and no doubt gained a few more fans in the process. Having raced the next day also, I then was to do some testing in Waregem with Dr Dag van Elslande on the following day. Despite feeling a little on the tired side, the results were surprisingly very good. My heart rate suggested to me I was a little tired, but the power levels reached was compared to that of Stijn Devolder. To the surprise of the Dr, and considering how I was feeling on the day, a surpirse to me. A nice surprise though and more confirmation of the levels I am operating towards now and hopefully an indication of the level I can be riding at in the future.

From teammates riding into me, to bottles taking me down, to mechanical problems, to being knocked off on two occasions by cars driving out onto the cycle lanes (yes, me and my teammate was hit by a car again on the way home from a race, again in the cycle lane). Add in a bit of illness and you could say things have been against me these past few months. Somehow I have come out of it all relatively unscathed (im still alive and been able to finish off the season) but its still not been good for the body and of course has heavily disrupted this second half of the season for me.

Still, as a foreign rider coming to race in Belgium, I certainly feel I have made an impact on the Belgium racing season and I now have the experience to build on this. I have impressed people with my racing performances, people who know the level of the racing in Belgium and having been there challenging for the wins consistently in these races, I hope this can lead to bigger and better things for 2011. This is a great place to race your bike, so many passionate people coming out to watch and along the way ive gained some more fans for the way I have raced, which is always a nice bonus :)

For now Im back in the UK. I will give myself time to relax and recover in the off season before getting into training once again. Still much to sort out in terms of my plans for 2011. My attention continues to be focused on that matter, trying to ensure that I get that step up, that will allow me to build again on what I have achieved this year.

The run-in is approaching....

Well we've hit the September and so the final month or so of the season. Good news is im still feeling motivated to race and race hard to finish off the year. The bad news is the last few weeks ive been caught out with a bit illness that seems to be going round these parts at the moment that has proved hard to shake off. Despite this the last few weeks has seen three more top 10 results for the palmares. Battling performances for a 6th in Schellebelle and a 5th in Erpe Mere may well have seen the next win if I hadnt felt so off.

Before this though, no doubt came my strongest performance of the last few weeks. A kermesse race in Wambeek-Ternat, which featured a long cobbled climb on each circuit, was to see me earn the respect of kermesse legend Mario Willems. I rode aggressively throughout.....'Willems style'....and played a big part in the race. Unfortunately my last bid for freedom saw me being pulled back around 1.5km to go. I would end up 7th, so not the win I was looking for, but Mario would make a point of coming up to me after to shake my hand and acknowledge the way I had rode on that day. Ok its not the win, but its more respect earned by another kermesse legend along with others such as Tony Bracke and the way I see it that can only be a good thing. My mechanic/Soigneur said he had never seen him do this before, so its good for me to know that I am making a good impression on these guys who are winning races in the heartland week in week out.

Its certainly been up against me the last few weeks but after racing yesterday and finally getting some good sensations in the legs and my body allowing me to open up, its a relief to finally believe that the worst of it is over, that my seasons not over and that illness aside the body's feeling good, which can only bode well for the remainder of the season. Yes the end of the season is drawing closer but I will be continuing to race and trying to add to that win tally. As always theres plenty of races about and so my season continues. My Belgian 'fanbase' are still out there supporting me haha and so ill be on the hunt for some more wins.

Ofcourse less bike time over the last few weeks has meant for more cafe time in town. Being based in Oudenaarde we are lucky to have the Ronde van Vlaanderen museum here, which also hosts a cafe. Its the perfect place to go grab a coffee, watch a bit of cycling on tv and meet some new people. Its become a bit of a regular hanging out place and starting to feel like part of the family there lol. If your ever in Oudenaarde be sure to check it out, especially if you would like to meet a cycling legend in Freddy Maertens.

I'll be hitting the kermesses hard now, so until next time......

ps. a thank you to Callum Gough whos appartment I am now staying in for the remainder of the season. Its helped me out big time. Bedankt!

the storm is over.....(I hope)

So the run of bad luck continued through July and into August, including a collision with a car and less than a week later getting taken down by a biddon during the third stage of the Ronde van de provincie Antwerpen. The body has taken a bit of a pounding and I have less skin now than the start of the month, but no broken bones or injuries that will keep me off the bike, which is always a bonus in my mind.

Midway through July I decided it was time to take a bit of a break anyway. A lot of racing up until that point and the body was calling for a rest. Maybe a year or two ago I would have had difficulty taking a break, especially at this point of the year, however experience has taught me that when the body is that tired rest is needed. Nothing will be lost by doing so, but continuing to race and train when the body is clearly depleted will send you into a big hole, which you may take a long time to come out of. Blood tests confirmed that a number of key things were depleted and so it was certainly time to rest up.

What was the outcome??? A fresh Dan Patten racing again. Soon after returning I was back to my usual self, feeling fresh and riding aggressively. I placed 9th in a kermesse in Bottelare, a race dominated by the big hitters such as Mario Willems and Tony Bracke. However I was there also and it was only the final decisive spit that I missed out on, otherwise I would have been challenging for the win with these guys. As it was I had to settle for 9th and a Primie, but was certainly a good sign of how the body had recovered and whats still to come.

It was a day later when I was hit by the car. Nothing I could do to avoid it, as it crossed the bike lane not seeing me descending down it and bam straight into the side of the car. I think I instinctively turned my body (as much as possible) away to prevent going head first through the window and instead bounced off the side. However quite a shock and had me seeing stars for a few days after. However luckily I somehow managed to escape without any broken bones (they must be strong!), which would have been the end of my season there and then.

This obviously put in doubt whether I would line up for the Ronde van de provincie Antwerpen just 3 days later, but I decided to start. 4 days of flat, fast racing with the likeliness of bunch sprints or very small time gaps I decided to ride a bit more conservatively the first two days and ride myself into the race. That I did and was feeling surprisingly strong and fresh in doing so. The final two stages I would go into attack mode. On the third stage I got away and it was a fellow brit in Steve Lampier who came with me.....haha two brits away in the Tour of Antwerpen lol We soon established 30+ seconds before another group came across to us. It was all going to plan so far.....that was until I got wiped out by another riders biddon whilst going round a corner. Out it popped and down I went....another heav

y tumble. I chased back through the cars and once recovered and back in the peloton, injuries aside, I felt comfortable following the wheels for the rest of the day.

And so to the final stage...the queen stage....185km....windy, wet and some (smooth) cobbles. Decided to go for broke. Again got away early formin

g the break. With the gap going to 1min+ and the cars being brought through it was good signs. However around 80km in the cars were taken out and bunch was closing in on us....cue to attack again....one rider came with but then he sat up so I was left alone. Eventually another group come across to me and with some fresh legs in the group they gave me a bit of a hard time. I was also very much outnumbered as many had on or two teammates in the group also. I went through a bit of a bad patch without a drink and by 140km the race had split into a number of groups and I found myself back in the peloton. I had rode so aggressively to get the time needed to challenge but it wasnt to be this time. I was to win the bunch sprint, a small consolation of what had been a pretty crazy day in the saddle.

So I returned from Antwerpen without the result that I wanted and with less skin than I started, but more than happy with the way I felt in the race and coming off the back of the month ive had it can only be a good sign for the rest of the season.

(Link to video from final stage of Ronde van de provincie Antwerpen.....me in attack mode!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_7eoiJ-Yig

All the bad luck at once!

So its been a few weeks since my last blog post. This is because I was waiting until something went my way again....im still waiting! The last few weeks of racing has been filled with bad luck, with mechanical problems at the wrong times and a few crashes to go with, not to mention a national championships that was reduced to a training ride. I suppose I can count myself lucky until now with very few problems this season, however they all seem to have come at once. I am sitting here a little sore after my latest race yesterday, a pro kermesse in Melle, where I was wiped out by none other than a teammate. After figuring in many of the early moves, I was hoping for a good one but it didnt happen in the end. The crash left me bashed and bruised but I was back in the peloton in no time. Unfortunately what was left of the peloton was pulled out after 130km, with the pro tour riders deciding the race was over. There was not many riders left in the bunch after the race and the weather took its toll on many and so when they decide to shut it down, you have just got to accept it.

The biggest disappointment came in Geluwe, an Interclub race, five days before the National Championships. I was really on it that day from the off and after covering several moves, managed to get away on my own. In the process I took a primie but 10km later I was pulled back into the bunch. I would then make the main break of seven riders and had a feeling it was going to be a good day. However with the gap over the peloton going out I came down on an off camber corner and in the process took a nice chunk out of my arm and hip. I went back into the bunch and back to the car and ambulance but I was told to stop with the deep cut to my arm causing most concern. None the less we got it strapped up and with my manager still with me, decided to try and make our way back to the bunch.....bearing in mind the gap was around five minutes. The only problem was every time we came through the finish line the commissaires wanted me to stop. Never the less we continued and actually got the gap down to 30 seconds behind the bunch, however I was told I had to stop....gutted! As the race continued I was taken to hospital to get stitched up.....a really disappointing end to what was looking to be a great race for me.

And then there was the National Championships??? Another race that left me disappointed. I blame myself as much as anything for being too far back as we went into the 2nd lap of the circuit getting a little complacent. But did I expect so many riders to lose contact with the front so early on in the race....certainly not, after all this is the National Championships. As we hit the main climb for the second time I looked up to see big gaps everywhere. I chased and went through rider after rider on the climb but never made it back to the front group. The next couple of laps I would continue to chase in the little groups I found myself in but not many riders were interested. The course had killed the race off. The race was over less than 40km in and for me reduced to a training ride. With most ending up on the side of the road I ploughed on for training more than anything, riding in small groups aswell as spending a fair proportion pushing on and riding on my own. But we wasnt racing at that point. I was simply getting some km's in thinking about the next races coming up....not how you should be during the National Championships.

No time to dwell though....the races are coming thick and fast now im back in Belgium (more so than ever) and thats the way its going to be now from now on in. Plenty of time for the luck to swing back my way. On a brighter note I did manage to catch a bit of the Tour de France live in between races this week. Me and some of my teammates went to one of the pave sections towards the end of stage 3. Such a special race.....everything about it! Inspired.......oh yes!

Until next time.....

Coming close to another one!

After the first win in Ghoy I nearly doubled the tally straight away, coming close with a 2nd a week later in Grandglise. It was an ex pro rider by the name of Jurgen Guns that would deny me the win. We was away in the break when Jurgen and another rider attacked away with still around 35km to go. I went across to them and straight away we dropped the other rider so it was just me and Jurgen for remainder of race. He was riding strong so I rode with him. We worked well but on the last lap 3 riders began to get close. He attacked me twice on the final lap but I got back to him. We looked at each other a lot during the final km but with the 3 riders right behind us I ended up leading it out (not wanting to get caught) and so he unfortunately came round me for the win, but took 2nd and a couple of primies to go with. Disappointed not to win as feel I may have still done it in the sprint but Jurgen was strong and used his experience to get me to the front at the right time and took the win.

A few days later I was back into Interclub action in Belsele. Even though a small break went up the road I rode sensibly riding high up in the peloton for most of the race, staying in a good position and out of trouble for later in the race. With high winds and a high speed this was important and I was there waiting for the latter part of the race....this was until i punctured after 113km. With the speed up as the break was being reeled in I had a fairly long chase back through all the cars in the convoy but did make it back to the peloton 15km later. However after getting a final drink and a couple of gels from the car I look up to see the peloton strung out and going away again as the back end of it sat up and let the gap go out. This put me back into chase mode and this is how it stayed until the end of the race. To top things off the break was pulled back so it was all to play for. However these things happen, but I can still take the positives away with me, which was the way I had ridden until the puncture. Something to take to the next races, which includes a pro kermesse, another Interclub and the National Championships......should be an interesting couple of weeks ahead!

Up and Running!

Well its been on the cards all season and at the weekend in the town of Ghoy I took my first win in Belgium. Like always the attacks came from km 1 and I managed to get away mid way through lap 1 and this was to be the move that stuck. At first we were four, then three and then six but knowing we were being chased down I tested the water by attacking coming out of one of the corners onto a drag with 30km to go. This was still a long way from the finish but I felt it was the right time to go, and so it proved. I quickly established a good gap with the car being pulled up behind me and I knew this was as good a chance as ever to get my first win over here. And so I did, all the way to the finish, soloing my way to the line. On the final lap I began to notice two riders chasing me.....two riders that wasnt in the original move. This obviously made me a bit more cautious and so I stepped on it even more. Into the last km I knew it would be mine...the acknowledgement from the marshals, supporters on the side of the road, etc, was reinforcement but I still didnt want to take any chances by backing off. 200m to go and the start of the finish straight and applause was my cue to relax a bit more....I had done it.....maiden win in Belgium.....you could say the hard way, but done in style and a way that I think has earned me even more respect. The gap to the two riders was around 20 seconds by the line....a comfortable winning margin but enough to keep me on my toes to the end. Riding out and back to/from the race gave me a nice 170km in the sun. Obviously this meant I wouldnt be able to make it back with flowers and trophy. Solution.....trophy in bag and flowers back to Miss Lessines 2010...a gesture appreciated. Now im off the mark and im not chasing the first win I know there will be many more to come!

Blessed Necklace Pendant.....gift from my number 1 fan following first win.

1. PATTEN Daniel GBR19860711 ASFRA RACING TEAM 3:

02:00

2. DEGAND Thomas BEL19860513 PROVINCE DU HAINAUT +20

3. BILLE Gaëtan BEL19880406 ROYAL CYCLISTS PESANT CLUB LIE +20

4. ROUET Rudy BEL19850105 PROVINCE DE BRABANT-WALLON +50

5. DHAENE Maarten BEL19840209 DIRK VERSTUYFT CYCLING TEAM +1:53

6. REMORY Stijn BEL19861023 DIRK VERSTUYFT CYCLING TEAM +2:15

7. DENAMUR Patrick BEL19730116 SECTION HENNUYERE +2:15

8. SIX Sébastien BEL19710327 MULTISPORT CYCLING TEAM +3:15

9. BACKAERT Frederik BEL19900313 ISOREX CYCLING TEAM +3:15

10. GAWLIK Adam POL19800701 CC CAMBRESIEN +3:15

11. VAN DEN NOORTGATE Kevin BEL19890707 NEW HEEBRA-LOMBARDEN +3:15

12. DE WITTE Jonathan BEL19880824 PROVINCE DU HAINAUT +3:15

13. GREMELPONT Axel BEL19900625 LOTTO-PREDICTOR-VC ARDENNES +3:1

5

14. COPPENS Matthias BEL19871208 KEUKENS REDANT CYCLING TEAM +3:15

15. JORY Chris AUS19870312 ASFRA RACING TEAM +3:15

16. BAEYENS Tommy BEL19900611 KEUKENS REDANT CYCLING TEAM +3:15

17. GENETTE Joël BEL19750819 TEAM VERANDAS WILLEMS CC CHEVI +3:15

18. DE TROYER Tim BEL19900811 KSV DEERLIJK GAVERZICHT VZW +3:15

19. DE ROOSE Alexander BEL19910130 FLEMISH CYCLING PROJECTS +3:15

20. DELECLUSE Jérémy BEL19820330 MULTISPORT CYCLING TEAM +3:15

The week actually started with the experience of being worked over by the West Vlaanderen 'Mafia'. Being warned that it would be a race that would be heavily controlled by the locals I realised what I was in for once I got in the break away group. In brief what should have been a clear race winning break turned out not to be and a much money was exchanged to get the result that was wanted. It can be another feature of the racing in Belgium but I had not seen it as bad as this before and a local Belgian rider who I know said likewise. Atleast I did still finish in the prize money but this was the only consolation....prize money collected and back to Oudenaarde I went. An English rider on an East Vlaanderen team....think I was always up against it on this day.

I raced again a couple of days ago in a kermesse in Schellebelle. Again made the break, taking 4 primies and came close to making it back to back wins....but not quite. Everyone took a chance or two to get away in the final 10km or so but was to end up 7th. But along with 4 primies not a bad days work. At 4-1 on the betting board below....seems im really starting to establish myself in Belgium.

1. LEMBRECHTS NICOLAAS W.C. VOS SPORTIEF SINT- LENAARTS 02:37:00

2. DE SCHEEMAEKER DAVY PWS EIJSSEN CYCLING TEAM :00:02

3. EECKHOUT KURT WETTERSE DAKWERKEN-AUTOGLAS

WETTEREN CT

4. EECKHOUT KEVIN SUNWEB-REVOR CYCLING TEAM

5. DE PAEPE PIETER WC SOENENS- JARTAZI-CONSTRUKT GLAS

6. DE DEYN JÜRGEN FLEMISH CYCLING PROJECTS

7. PATTEN DANIEL ASFRA RACING TEAM

8. VAN BROEKHOVEN GUY POORTEN FERYN TEAM

9. VERDONCK PATRICK ENTENTE CYCLISTE DE WALLONIE :00:22

10. BAEYENS GERT WETTERSE DAKWERKEN-AUTOGLAS

WETTEREN CT

11. VEJMELKA DANIEL COLBA-MERCURY-DOURPHONIE

12. DE MUNSTER GREGORY COLBA-MERCURY-DOURPHONIE :02:38

13. MOSTAERT WIM VL TECHNICS - ABUTRIEK CYCLING TEAM

14. WUYTENS KIM WETTERSE DAKWERKEN-AUTOGLAS

WETTEREN CT

15. VAN DEN NOORTGATE KEVIN NEW HEEBRA-LOMBARDEN

16. BEULENS DAVID WIELERSPORTVER. ARTEVELDE VZW GENT

17. SABO PEDRO DMC- CYCLING TEAM

18. DE WEIRDT GINO WIELERTEAM DECOCK-SPORTIVO MOORSELE

19. VERNAECKT THOMAS SUNWEB-REVOR CYCLING TEAM

20. VEREECKE PHILIP ISOMAX - KENTUCKY CT MIDDELKERKE

Should be an interesting few weeks ahead with more kermesses, a couple of Interclub races plus a pro kermesse before heading to the National Championships at the end of the month. Big month coming up!