Wouter Weylandt Special Forever!

So ive been meaning to put together a blog post of my latest experiences of life here in Flanders. This season has certainly had its ups and downs, but all this seems rather irrelevant after the events of this week. Cycling indeed has its fair share of tragedies and the death of Wouter Weylandt in stage 3 of the Giro this year is another one added to that list. My first memory of Wouter Weylandt was when I watched a pro criterium in Sint Niklaas back in 2008 and since that night have always been a fan of one of the most popular Belgian riders around. It is so sad that his life would end at such a young age and in such tragic circumstances. Indeed cycling can be a dangerous sport, but you never expect something like this to happen. Just days on it is difficult to think about. My thoughts are certainly with Wouter, his family and friends at this terrible time. Wouter Weylandt will certainly not be forgotten, especially on my rides along the Schelde....a route that Weylandt used, and racing will be in his memory. RIP Wouter Weylandt x

My season has continued on its stop-start path, summed up most notably by a kermesse in Kruishoutem. Having not long been back from injury I was my normal aggressive self from the off and happened to escape inside the first couple of kms. Though the front group was to swell to around 18 riders, this was to be the move that would stay out. Despite my lack of racing, I was very much switched on during the race and was riding strong to cover any threatening moves. Of course I took my own chances to force a further split and with a little under 20km to go I was successful. Going through 2 laps to go I had broken clear and was soon to be joined by 4 other riders...one of them being kermesse king Mario Willems. I was happy to see Mario, in the knowledge that I knew he wouldnt then be chasing us. The five of us were away and so it was to prove decisive. However going into the final corner for the bell lap I was to meet the road....the result of a tubular rolling off the rim at 50km/hr....race over and skin left in Kruishoutem! A race where I had been so strong (and rode so smart), when maybe I shouldnt have been able to so soon, was over for me and to rub salt into the wound (literally) I had to watch the four of them sprint it out for the win without me. My chance for a big result so early on the comeback trail had gone, but if anything this race again reminded me of why I love racing in this country so much....excitement from start to finish....and I was a big part of that.

Though I was to race the following day and find myself in another race long break, eventually ending up 5th with my share of primies, the wound to my hip (and rear!) following this crash in Kruishoutem proved worse than first thought and became infected, resulting in some more days off the bike to ensure that it healed quickly. A pain that seemed to be getting worse and more irritated day by day and training session after training session. So more rest was prescribed, which meant another comeback would be on the cards. A comeback that saw me finish up 11th in Brugge-Dudzele. So given another 'topsy turby' month a 5th, 11th, 14th plus a 'what might have been' in Kruishoutem along with half a dozen primies, wasnt a too bad showing. Certainly if I get the run of the green, I will be expecting to turn some of these strong performances into race wins very soon. With many big races coming up this month, it will certainly be the right time for that to happen. And ofcourse along the way Wouter Weylandt will be firmly in my thoughts! Until next time....

Onix Aurious....so far!

I have had the added bonus this year of having two bikes. But instead of going for two Azzuro's the plan was to have one of them as the maybe less known Aurious frameset. This makes perfect sense, as now I am able to test and give feedback on the two main models in the Onix Bikes range.

Targeted more towards the 'sportive rider' the Aurious is slightly more relaxed with a geometry designed slightly more for comfort rather than the out and out racer....well this is how it is billed anyway. Again I looked to the geometries and the important thing was getting it matched to that of the Azzuro as closely as possible. For me this meant simply dropping down a size to a 52 in order to replicate the position of the Azzuro. The main reason for this drop down was to achieve the lower front end, because as you would expect with a frameset aimed at the sportive market, the headtubes come up slightly longer. However going down to a 52 really wasnt a problem. It has allowed me to achieve the same aggressive low front end position and with a 10mm longer stem (140mm deda stem) the length of the 54 Azzuro has been transfered to the 52 Aurious.

So once the same position was achieved it was time to test out this Aurious. Now when I first ride a new bike normally I end up having to make little alterations over the first few rides until its where it needs to be...not with the Aurious! From the moment I jumped on the bike it just felt pretty much right. The Aurious has everything you need from a bike whatever your main purpose for it is. Obviously some racers get put off by a bike that is aimed at the 'sportive' market, thinking the performance will not be as good. Well this is not the case with the Aurious. I chose the option of going with the smaller frameset which gave me the same aggressive racing position that I was looking for, taking away its 'sportive' set up in my case.

So what are you getting from the Aurious!? Well my initial thoughts are a well balanced bike of performance, comfort, stiffness and responsiveness. I have been very impressed with how the bike handles....and with all the cornering involved in Belgium, I am very happy about this. Another characteristic that may go unnoticed is the fact that the Aurious is actually the lightest of the Onix range....im sure this is certainly something that a lot of people look to when purchasing a bike. I have already put this bike over some of the most famous bergs and pave sections seen in the Ronde van Vlaanderen and have found it more than adequate for these demands.

The components yet again deliver the expected performance. From the light and classy looking Onix UL1 seat post and BC1 bottle cages through to my trusty Mavic Cosmic Carbone Wheelset equiped with a Cycleops Powertap SL 2.4+ hub, which provides me with all the key data I will need from my riding. The contact points are made up of the ever reliable Fizik Arione, Speedplay Zeros and Deda components at the front end. The groupset again is Campagnolo Centaur, which has been working smoothly from the off. A final addition you will notice are the Rotor Aero Q rings. Something I was eager to try out this year...again living up to there reputation as expected, especially at the higher cadences I am now pedaling at.

What else can I say about the Aurious!? Perhaps this is the dark horse of the Onix range. If you get the sizing right for you and your position then I am sure you will be equally pleased with the performance of the Onix Aurious....and again at a great price! Like all of the Onix range you can customize your own bike build on www.onixbikes.co.uk. Below is the spec of my Onix Aurious. More updates to come as the season progresses!

Frameset: Onix Aurious (52)

Groupset: Campagnolo Centaur 10

Shimano Ult Cranks equipped with Rotor Aero Q Rings (53/39)

Pedals: Speedplay Zero

Saddle: Fizik Arione

Seat Post: Onix UL1 Ultralight Carbon

Bottle Cages: Onix BC1 Carbon

Bars: Deda Newton Shallow

Stem: Deda Zero 100 (140mm)

Computer: Cycleops Cervo 2.4

Wheelset: Mavic Cosmic Carbones equipped with Cycleops Powertap SL 2.4+ Hub

Onix Azzuro....so far!

It was back in January during a training camp in Majorca that I first heard about Onix Bikes and the possibility of being a sponsored rider testing the bikes out for this year in Belgium. A new bike company which was looking to get some exposure and some feedback about the bikes and a rider in myself who was looking for equipment for the 2011 season. Throw in the fact that I would be spending my season in the heartland that is Belgium and it seemed the perfect scenario for everyone. In these next two blog posts I will be giving my initial thoughts on both my Onix Azzuro and Onix Aurious bikes that I will be testing out fully in 2011.

The Onix Azzuro is billed as the top of the range Onix Frameset, designed for out and out performance. My first reaction was to check out the geometries and it really did not take long to decide what I would be going for with the Azzuro...a 54cm was what was required. Getting the right geometry comes above all else and without a customized frame it means a bit of compromise. But with the Azzuro there wasnt too much compromise required and I knew with the right set up I would be sitting pretty rosy on this bike.

So my Azzuro arrived and I went out for a test ride. First reaction....this is one stiff bike! A bike designed for the racing cyclist indeed. Without being an expert in carbon, I am informed it is a particular form of carbon (Toray T1000) that is used in the Azzuro that creates such stiffness. A stiffness you would expect to pay a higher price for, but yet with the Onix Azzuro you dont need to pay that higher price. Other key features of the Azzuro adding to this stiffness are the distinctive unsymmetrical chainstay and a thicker bottom bracket area, all adding to a very responsive bike.

Having said all of this you may think handling and cornering may be compromised....but its not the case. You can feel right at home and in control with the Azzuro, which is extremely important and even more so here in Belgium. With the Azzzuro as my 'race bike' I am yet to have given it a real test over the pave, however the time will come soon enough for this. However if the Onix Aurious is anything to go by (aka my second bike which has seen its fair share of cobbles already) then there will be no problems there either.

The components deliver the expected performance. From the light and classy looking Onix UL1 seat post and BC1 bottle cages to the Superleggera XL50 wheelset with Vittoria Corsa Evo CX Tubs. The contact points are made up of the ever reliable Fizik Arione, Speedplay Zeros and Deda components at the front end. Saris and Cycleops take care of my data recording, something I wouldnt be without. The groupset is Campagnolo Centaur, which has been working smoothly from the off and a final addition you will notice are the Rotor Aero Q rings. Something I was eager to try out this year and they are not disappointing in there performance....something I have noticed especially at the higher cadences I am now pedaling at.

Below is the full spec of my Onix Azzuro Race Bike. Check out www.onixbikes.co.uk to create your own! Watch out for more updates as the season progresses!

Frameset: Onix Azzuro (54)

Groupset: Campagnolo Centaur 10

Shimano Ult Cranks equipped with Rotor Aero Q Rings (53/39)

Pedals: Speedplay Zero

Saddle: Fizik Arione

Seat Post: Onix UL1 Ultralight Carbon

Bottle Cages: Onix BC1 Carbon

Bars: Deda Newton Shallow

Stem: Deda Zero 100 (130mm)

Computer: Cycleops Cervo 2.4

Wheelset: Superleggera XL50 with Vittoria Corsa Evo CX Tubs

Season Underway.....

Back in the heartland and my season is officially underway. Its great to be back racing and despite a disrupted winter the body is feeling surprisingly sprightly. I have defied the norm these past few months. From having much of the winter off the bike with an achilles injury, to starting the season (all be it a little later than originally planned) with testing figures that are higher than could have imagined 6 weeks previous. My condition has returned remarkably quick and it finally meant one thing...it was time to get myself back off to Belgium and get this 2011 season underway.

First race, a kermesse in a town just outside of Gent, called Merelbeke and the small matter of a 349 rider field...hahaha only in Belgium! Must have been some sight from the roadside seeing this huge peloton. Chaos is how I would describe it from inside the peloton, with crash after crash after crash. Luckily not me. I chose to ride off the front or at he back out of trouble, but unfortunately with such a large field nothing was being allowed to get too far away. A huge crash in the sprint saw much of the peloton caught up, but all in all I was relieved to get through the first race of the season feeling comfortable and unscathed.

Since then ive raced twice more. Again feeling surprisingly strong throughout. One race was in France where despite avoiding all the crashes the weekend previously, I found myself meeting the road on the final 90 degree bend that was 'like an ice rink'. Not in a position to go for the win I uttered the words 'keep it safe' approaching the final bend knowing that with the road conditions this would certainly cause some trouble come the finish. A few seconds later the riders were down in front of me and as soon as I touched the brakes it was game over for me too.

I picked myself up, rolled across the line and the next day was racing in sunny Belgium again in a kermesse in Torhout. This week 'only' a 250 rider field lol Feeling the effects of a bruised knee from the previous days crash, I cruised at he back in the early stages before deciding to give it an effort to move to the front. Eventually I did make it to the front and then I was straight off the front. Within a few moves coming and going I was away in what looked like was going to be the decisive move. The pace was fast throughout, with an average speed at the end of 46km/hr and so you could imagine the surprise when the peloton was hunting us down going into the final lap. Despite out best efforts to stay away, 3km from the end we was swallowed up by the big peloton. We certainly had entertained the big crowd there that day in our attempt to stay clear, but it wasnt to be and by the end I had to be content with an earlier primie taken (a primie which saw another rider elbowing me for lol) and the knowledge that it was some more good race km's in the legs at the front end of the race and so this can only be good signs in my first week back racing.

Stay tuned for more feedback on my Onix Bikes as I put them through the paces here in Belgium. Equipped with the Onix Azzuro and the Onix Aurious, I am certainly impressed so far with there performance. Good geometries, stiff, handle well.....be sure to check them out at http://www.onixbikes.co.uk/

Until next time.....

Getting back on it......

So I thought it was about time I posted another blog update. Ive been rather quiet of late and the reason being, quite simply there's not been much to talk about. Ive been plagued by misfortune after misfortune this winter which ironically gave me lots more time to update the blog, yet I was short of anything really interesting to say......until now that is.

The last month has seen me join forces with newly formed British Bike company, Onix Bikes. I will of course be heading out to Belgium where I am riding again for the Asfra Racing Team from Oudenaarde, however I will have a couple of new weapons at my disposal. Onix bikes will kindly be providing me with my bikes in what I know is a very important year for me. I will in turn be testing these bikes (and what better testing ground than Belgium!) and providing feedback on these stylish new machines. Be sure to check these bikes and various other equipment out at http://www.onixbikes.co.uk/. Hopefully the results will speak for themselves!

So what has been happening this winter?? After being struck by that car towards the end of last season, the misfortune has continued way into the winter. Illness and injury has led to a very much interrupted winter of training. Two weeks in Majorca did provide me with a nice small block of training at the start of the year, however before and since, it has been far from ideal for me. Still as a full time athlete, its something that you just have to deal with. Experience tells me not to panic and to just let it come.....trust me I will soon find my legs. And I take heart not only from my own experiences but from one of my idols in Heinrich Haussler. This is a rider who has had his own injury problems and dosnt always get a smooth run at things, but yet still has the class to do what he’s doing!

Gladly I can say I am back into training once again. No doubt about it this will be an important month for me but I know that I can get myself well and truly back on track in that time. I won’t quite be starting my season as early as originally thought, but instead will opt for getting some good training back in the body. Its a long season and its not the end of the world if that racing begins for me a few weeks later than planned.....im never going to be short of races in Belgium thats for sure!

Until next time......

News Short!

Check out this link to my Interview with Ed Hood on Pez Cycling News:

http://pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=9004

Ive been Pez'd again :)

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