Back to the front....

So last time I was posting about the great weather we were experiencing in Belgium at that time. Unfortunately the sun has gone and the rain has returned. Clearly 20 degrees+ in March was a treat. Im hoping a treat that returns soon.

None the less come rain or shine I have continued on my road to recovery, and in the weeks since my last posting, have recorded my first podium position of the year with a 3rd in a kermesse race in Bury. The heavy rain, wind and reduced temperatures would make for a hard fought battle in Wallonie. Clearly the easiest way to try and stay warm was to go on the attack (not that I need an excuse) and as early as the second lap that is where I went and the breakaway was formed. Despite attempts to bring us back it wasnt going to happen on this day. I took my share of primies and for the first time really felt I was getting back to normal. I was in the mood to ride! As the race wore on the weather took its toll and the breakaway began to split. Six of us were left at the front and would fight it out to the end. Bodies that were shutting down at that stage due to the wet and cold trying to ride away in pursuit of victory. It would not work out to be my day on this occasion but 3rd was certainly a sign that I am getting back to normal. And on top of that, despite the conditions I was enjoying being back out there and going for victory again at the front of the race. Later that week I returned to Wallonie and produced another top 10, this time in Taintignies Rumes so consistency is starting to build again.

Nasty weather in Bury...

...but first flowers of the year earned.

Im sure inspiration has also played its part in these last weeks. With classics fever in these parts, its certainly first hand inspiration on a plate. Even more so because it would be Tom Boonens classics year again....Harelbeke, Gent Wevelgem, Ronde Van Vlaanderen, Paris Roubaix....Tommeke Tommeke Tommeke Tommeke!

Koppenberg Action RVV.

Paterberg Action RVV.

Given my returning form I have my first Interclub competition for my new team this coming weekend. GP Affligem, a race which takes in some of the famous bergs including the Kapelmuur and the Bosberg amongst others. Also the cobbled climb of Wambeek-Ternat, the location of one of my wins from last season. This week in training I went to recon the section of the race taking in the Kapelmuur and the Bosberg. With rain expected on Sunday it was important to look at climbs such as the Kapelmuur in the wet to assess ideal tyre pressures, lines to take, etc. And after 6 climbs of the Kapelmuur and 3 climbs of the Bosberg its safe to say I know them pretty well ahead of Sunday.

Until next time....

The Kapelmuur.

Getting back....

So its been a fairly quiet start of the season for me, but I can say now that things are underway. A blood test here in Belgium revealed lower iron levels, which most likely explains my lethargic start to the new year. Since then things have been progressing nicely for me and the body is finally getting back to some sense of normality. Training has been consistently better and I have begun racing and quickly finding my feet again.

Of course what has helped has been the great weather conditions that we are experiencing this month in Belgium. 20 degrees +, sunshine and bright blue skies certainly helps morale. And with such nice weather, what better than training on the famous flanders bergs or to spin out on the Schelde peloton to help find the legs again.

Early season racing in Belgium is known for being a little on the crazy side and this year is certainly no exception. Big pelotons (in the line), fast racing and a lot of eager riders certainly keeps things interesting. For me its simply been about finding my legs again, which in a few races seems to be happening. After solid performances in both Meulebeke and Ichtegem where I rode strongly but without any major result (31st and 28th respectively), I already produced my first top 10 placing of the year this weekend past with an 8th in the Beloeil kermesse. I may only be trying to find my racing legs again, but that dosnt stop me getting involved with the attack fest that is kermesse racing. From km 0 the race was on and I was very much involved in the action from start to finish, which can only be good signs and certainly an indication that things are getting back to normal.

In between training and racing, I also did a bit of acting for the filming of a tv advert. 100 euro gig for riding up and down a section of the Paddestraat cobbles (not much acting involved there) numerous times on a nice sunny day and a lot of banter to go with....was a nice way to make some extra euros. The belgian classics have also been in full flow, with the biggest of them all, the Ronde Van Vlaanderen coming up this Sunday. Seeing it all first hand once again continues to inspire me and remind me of where I want to be.

So I am up and running and im sure theres going to be a lot to talk about in the coming weeks. Good times ahead....until next time!

Season 2012 is here....

The season is here and so I thought it was about time that I posted my first blog of 2012, to fill you in on whats been happening over the winter months and what I am up to in this coming season.

The winter consisted of some functions, some visiting, catching up with UK life, not to mention a couple of trips back to Belgium. It was really nice to be back at home with my family, though I wonder now where the time has gone. I also began to learn dutch properly, using the Rosetta Stone learning program and that has been coming along nicely. Training through November and December was "relatively" smooth and over christmas dinner I even decided I was going to participate in my first running race in a fair number of years, taking place on boxing day. My Dad would also take to the start line with me. Clearly I wasnt going to be the runner that I used to be, but put in a pretty reasonable performance for a "non runner" finishing in 11th and really enjoyed the outing. It reminded me once again why I always loved the sport so much. My current "non running legs" however were not so appreciative afterwards (thats what you get for spontaneous running outings ;-))

Back in the Athletics column...

Some 'extra credit' Rosetta Stone Dutch!

Into the new year and January wasnt such an inspirational month for me. Not ill and not injured, but just didnt feel myself. Lethargic and just waiting for something to click in place. However we took the sensible option of not pushing it and scaling back the training, given that the winter until that point had gone smoothly. Having got to see my chriropractor, Matt Rabin, by the end of the month (he was on team duties with Garmin Barracuda in Australia until that point), my body was put back right and normality restored.

Sunny Mojacar (Almeria/Spain)

As experience has taught me, some easier weeks like those in January, do not do any harm. And so it has proved. On the 1st February I moved back to Belgium as just a few days later I would be off on training camp with my new team for 2012, Soenens Construkt Glas. The training camp was held in Mojacar-Almeria, Spain. We were generally doing up to around 5hrs most days, some of those hillier than others and both on the flat and in the hills I was ticking along nicely and no ill effects of the lethargic January. I am happy with how my week progressed and so is the team so things back on track. Early season racing in Belgium can be very unpredictable so I will just be finding my feet again in those early races and continuing to work on my condition. My first race is already scheduled for the 19th February, a race which includes the "club championship", officially kicking off season 2012 for me.

Some nice climbing...

...and some time to relax!

And so to my new team for this season, Soenens Construkt Glas. A long established and one of the best amateur teams in Belgium, I am happy to be on board for 2012. Though its a team from West Flanders, I will continue to be based in East Flanders at 'The Hof Ter Kammen’ in Leupegem/Oudenaarde. Talks with the team began last summer after some very nice results on my part and immediately I was offered a place for 2012. Though I enjoyed my time with the Asfra Racing Team, this opportunity will give me bigger opportunities, an even better race program and hopefully then with success the ideal platform to go onto even bigger things. I will once again be supported by the Dave Rayner Fund, whose support I am most grateful for. I have also received a grant from the Grays Public Purposes and Recreational Charity (a local organization to me at home). This support from both of these organizations is again allowing me to race in Belgium and I will be looking once again to repay there support with much success in 2012. For now I am concentrating my efforts on this year and looking forward to a successful year for myself and the Soenens Construkt Glas team.

Soenens Construkt Glas 2012...ready for action!

My 2012 teambike....Pinarello Dogma 2

Equipment wise I will be racing on a Pinarello Dogma 2 teambike. I will be training (and racing sometimes) once again with my Cycleops Powertap Powermeters thanks to the support of Paligap. Training and racing in Belgium usually produces some interesting figures, so I will look to report some of those within my blogs.

The season soon begins and I hope I will be blogging about the many successes in 2012. Thanks for reading. Until next time!

The calm (before the storm that is early season racing in Belgium)

Dank u wel - Thank You !!!!

So Im well into my off season ‘rest up’ now and with thoughts again turning towards getting back on the bike, I thought it would be a good time to sum up the 2011 season and most importantly thank those that made it possible.

Two wins, two other podiums and twelve top ten placings, in addition to a two day overall classification victory, meant 2011 in Belgium turned out to be another successful season. Of course more wins would always be a bonus, but wins are certainly not easy to come by in Belgium. True to form my attacking nature continued and even though it didnt always lead to victory, I have many many good memories from Belgium 2011.

I also have a lot of people to thank. To my sources of funding - The Dave Rayner Fund, The Grays Public Purposes and Recreational Charity and The Thurrock Sports Council. I believe that racing in Belgium is the best chance for me to get the opportunity to continue progressing in the cycling world and without such support, I would not be able to do it. I am extremely grateful for all your support!

To David Harmon of the Spokesmen Agency who has been my manager this season. Unfortunately other commitments mean that David will no longer be representing riders in 2012, however I am very grateful for the help this year and look forward to staying in contact in the future. This leads me nicely onto Onix Bikes, as it was David that hooked me up with Craig Middleton of Onix Bikes. A big thank you to Craig and the whole Onix Bikes crew for supporting me this year and in the companies maiden year in the peloton. Im sure big things are planned for Onix Bikes in the future! Onto Paligap, and in particular Blair Morgan, who continues to help me with Cycleops Powertap Products, thanks once again for the continued support!

One of the most interesting developments in 2011 has become the impact of Luc Wante on my life in Belgium. Not only has he got me back on my bike (and kept me on my bike) after crashes and injuries, but he has also taken care of coaching me. Im looking forward to what 2012 will bring under Lucs guidance! And to Dr Piet Daneels who has also kept me healthy again in Belgium this year and is always keen to see me progress in the cycling world....much thanks!

Whilst Luc and Piet keep me healthy in Belgium, it is Matt Rabin that does the same when I am back in the UK. Not least so, last winter when I missed most of the winter with an achilles injury. However it was Matt that got me back on the bike then and between Luc, Piet and Matt I truly believe I have the very best keeping me in healthy working order. Now that is peace of mind!

Now this blog could go on and on thanking people, but it could be endless haha So my additional thanks (im sorry if i miss anyone out!) go to Adrian Timmis @Cadence Sport, Wouter Marijsse, everyone at the Hof ter Kammen, Luc and Ronny Assez and everyone involved at the Asfra Racing Team, Simon Jobson, Mal and Brian @Le Beau Velo, Ciclos Uno and importantly all my family and friends that have continued to support me in 2011. Many friends (and fans), new and old in Belgium and the UK....you know who you are! And all my family, especially my Mum and Dad and Brother who continue to support my cycling career in more ways than one! Thanks to you all....keeping the faith!

2012....BIGGER AND BETTER....CAN'T WAIT!!!!

An Onix Year!

It was back in January of this year during a training camp in Majorca that I first heard about Onix Bikes and the possibility of working together for the season. After a little browse of www.onixbikesonline.com I was soon to give the man behind Onix bikes, Craig Middleton, a call. From that very first conversation I soon realised how passionate Craig was for Onix Bikes and where he wanted to take Onix to. After returning from training camp I would make the trip up to Preston from Essex to meet the man himself and from that first meeting it was clear for all to see that a lot of work and thought had already gone into Onix Bikes and that was clearly set to continue in the year ahead. I got to see the equipment I would be using for the season and I was more than satisfied with what I saw. Over the coming weeks we would talk specifications and I would be given two bikes from Craig....one Azzuro (my race bike) and one Aurious (my training bike). As you will find out in this blog the two soon become interchangeable, as I found out quickly that the Aurious was more than capable for the demands of racing. In return I would publicize the bikes through my racing and training and something I saw as even more important, was a testing role. What better testing ground for an up and coming bike brand than a season racing in Belgium. If a bike can survive a season in the heartand that is Flanders then to me it has passed the ultimate test.

These bikes have not simply just survived this season....they have thrived! Lets start with the Onix Azzuro, given to me as my race bike and top of the range of the Onix collection. As in my initial review of the Azzuro earlier in the season, this bike is a stiff machine designed for performance. Initially we wondered would it be too stiff when it came to some of the rough roads, the pave sections and the cobbled bergs. Conclusion......it was never an issue! The Azzuro has been ridden over the rough stuff throughout the year and performed superbly from day one. Here Onix really have designed a top of the range frameset capable of any demands placed on it. When it comes to racing everyone wants a stiff bike and with the Azzuro you get that. But equally important is having a reliable bike that handles well and you feel in control of....exactly what you get with the Azzuro! And after all the demands that have been placed on the Azzuro throughout this season, it is still going strong and as a test of reliability I think that says a lot right there!

And onto the Aurious, the bike that little was known about prior to me testing one. The Aurious is maybe the dark horse of the collection and I think Craig was happy to here the positivity about this bike matching that of the Azzuro. Due to geometry differences I had to go with a size smaller when it came to the Aurious (52cm compared to 54cm Azzuro), but it was a good choice, something I was soon to find out as soon as I set out on my first ride on the Aurious. The bike just felt right. Normally with a new bike there will be the usual constant adjusting of components to get the desired position feeling right. It was simply not the case with the Aurious. A few little adjustments and I felt right at home. Feeling comfortable and in control of the bike underneath you is a big must and with the Aurious I certainly get that. This again like the Azzuro is one reliable bike. This bike has been ridden hard this year in Belgium, just as much as the Azzuro, as it has been ridden over the flanders pave and up the cobbled bergs countless times (sorry Craig I am drawn to the rough stuff in training) and like the Azzuro has held up perfectly and still going strong. And in terms of performance this bike could quite easily be mine or anyone's race bike. In fact it has been my race bike on many occasions this year. Racing in the hills of the Tour Nivermais Morvan, up the Muur de Huy in the Tour of Liege and on the kermesse circuit, in and out of the corners, over the pave, up the bergs, this bike has been able to cope with every demand placed on it and not let me down!

Onix Bikes is a company that is making its way and 2011 has been a big year in the development of the company. Craig is certainly not resting on his laurels. Much work is going into making the bikes even better for 2012. Trips to the production base, the Interbike show and constant hard work is going into Onix Bikes to take further steps forward for 2012. Craig was also very smart to produce Onix kit. Produced by BioRacer, this is for sure some quality kit and spreads the Onix name even further. I am not exaggerating when I say this is some of the most comfortable kit I have worn so far and it is a pleasure going out on my Onix bikes kitted up in my Onix Kit. If the bikes and kit are anything to go by, then anything coming from Onix in the future will not be short on quality!

It has been a pleasure to be involved with Onix Bikes in what is its real maidnen year and whatever team I find myself on in 2012, Onix has played a key role in getting me there throughout 2011. To have a company that is just starting out have confidence in my ability as a cyclist and to provide me with the equipment I need for a season in Belgium, is something I am truly grateful for. With only a couple of weeks of the season now remaining, Onix bikes have already taken me to two wins, two other podiums, eight further top ten placings and a two day overall classement all in Belgium this year. This again speaks volumes about the quality of bike coming from Onix. Onix Bikes are gathering momentum...join the Onix movement!

Onix Bikes Website: http://onixbikesonline.com

Twitter: @Onixbikes (http://twitter.com/#!/Onixbikes) & @Cyclecraig (http://twitter.com/#!/Cyclecraig)

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001263792700

Onix Bikes YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/Onixbikes

Until next time....

back to winning and back to typing......

Yes I am still alive....though the last week I have not moved far from my bed after being hit hard with a chest infection! Anyway I apologize for my lack of updates recently. It has been a pretty busy few months of racing and the weeks have just been flying by without even knowing it. My trusty macbook has also been playing up on me, which couldnt have happened at a worse time (apologies for any spelling mistakes as I am currently typing with a belgian keyboard which my computer does not recognize :)). Remarkably I have held good form for the most part over the last few months and with that has come some good showings and more importantly some good results. Most recently 2 weeks ago I took my second win of the season. It was a kermesse race in Wambeek that saw me and a rider from the Kazakhstan national team (Alexey Lutsenko) dominate and ride away about halfway through....never to be caught again! With a cobbled berg each lap for 13 laps, the course certainly is selective and so it proved on this day. We worked well together and I would go on to take the win come the finish. Coupled with a 5th place in the same race two days previous, it also meant I took the overall two day classification. On both days I also took 2nd in the berg classification so it really did turn into a successful series of races for me.

Between my successes in Gits and Wambeek I have had a number good top 10 placings, the best being a 3rd in Merelbeke and 4th in Ingelmunster.....both very strong performances and coming very close to the win on both occasions. I also had a very strong showing in the Belgium cup race (Beker Van Belgie) Zillebeke-Westouter-Zillebeke where I was away on the attack from km1. Though the breakaway would begin to split up on the finishing circuits, I always remained in the front, attacking probably more than anyone in my search for freedom. Though the break whittled down, unfortunately we were to be caught by another small group in the last few kms and I would end up 12th. Not the result I was looking for but certainly a strong showing having been out from the off. I would also have an attacking Tour of Liege (Ronde van Luik), stage 2 in particular where I was out for most of the day. Going over the famous Muur de Huy in second place, I would continue pushing on in the second half of the race when the peloton was closing in. It was inevitable that we would be caught eventually, however yet again I think I showed the type of rider I am and continued to ride even when it was only me left out front, until they finally dragged me back. I actually found myself in nice time trial mode... well that was until I see the lead motorbike turn off up a road that resembled a wall and at that stage of the race that was to be the rhythm breaker for me and the peloton would swallow me up.

A couple of weeks later I would come very close to winning the first stage of the Tour of Namur. At this point I was beginning to get a bit tired and in need of a break. However despite suffering through most of the first stage (and I was hanging at times), I was able to come alive at the end and get away in a small move in the final 10kms. With 3km to go it was just three of us but we were soon joined by eleven more. I misjudged the finish a little, leading the race through the final chicane with around 50m to go, only to be swamped and ending up with 9th. With 21 seconds time gap over the peloton this did give me an ideal opportunity to try and go into a jersey in the next days. However events on the road over the next couple of days meant the advantage soon slipped away. The last couple of days I would lend my services at the front of the peloton to help control things with the team of the leaders jersey (EFC Quick Step). It was something I had done for a little bit on the 4th stage to help bring the gap to the breakaway down. However it was something they were clearly grateful for as on the final day they thanked me for the help and asked if I would help again....ofcourse I obliged. Its important to make friends in the peloton and im sure one day the favour will be returned. Above all else it is something that once again showed the type of rider I am and the work I am prepared to do, as I look for a chance again to move up for 2012.

So that kind of fills you in on the last few months for me here in Belgium. With just over a month of the season remaining I hope to get over this chest infection as quickly as possible so that I can get back to racing and add to the win tally before the season is out. In a few days I will be posting a blog about Onix Bikes, how they have helped me this year and my overall impressions on the bikes as we approach the end of the season. Lots going on with Onix ahead of 2012 so be sure to check out:

http://onixbikesonline.com

Until next time....