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!

Win In Ghoy!

Blog to be updated soon with news from first win of the season in Belgium in town of Ghoy. For now check out link to a few photos from the race: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2060854&id=1009237917&ref=mf