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!