A weekend in the breakaway.

A strong race the previous weekend in Haringe and a solid week of training left me high with confidence heading into another double weekend of racing, the third in a row. Saturday's race was in a town called Zele, in East Flanders, a region where the racing is slightly different, especially with a course that is mostly held in town as opposed to endless open fields in Western Flanders. The circuit was an interesting one, with cobbles, brickwork streets plus plenty of corners and bends making it quite a technical lap, made more so by the wet weather conditions.

The slick brickwork section of the circuit! Photo credit Lino Vino.

There is always a  feeling of anxiousness before the start of a wet race, many riders already beaten before the race has even started, as they shiver from the cold and fear the higher possibility of crashing. I find that weather conditions rarely affect me, so I was as motivated as ever to get stuck in and go for a result!

The race went off at a high pace as riders looked to get an advantage through the opening technical section, using the bends to get a gap and line things out. I started well, near the front and following moves within the first kilometre, biding my time, trying to predict when the right move would go. Two riders jumped away from the bunch, before a couple more and then a couple more. Tomacc well represented, with Peter and Rob. One lap down, the gap was called out as 33 seconds through the finish area, time to be vigilant for a group looking to cross the still bridgeable gap. As we entered the the narrow, twisting crosswind section of the circuit about half way round the lap, I noticed an attack from the left hand side of the bunch, I didn't hesitate and attacked hard on the right hand side from a few riders back. We got a gap, the chase was on! It wasn't long before a handful of riders came across to us, forming a solid group of 11, chasing 6. After less than a lap of chasing, we made the juncture, it was now 17 riders in front, with 3 from Tomacc! 

Pictured here with my race splitting accomplice. Photo credit Lino Vino.

The group established, we were out of sight. I knew it would have to split at some point, learning from experiences of this season already, it could go very soon, with more than half the race still to run. Towards the end of the fourth lap, there was an attack coming into the crosswind section and I was straight on it. This was it. Two riders pushing the pace, as the 15 riders behind fought to stay in contention. After 5 or 6 kilometres of hard riding, 4 riders came across to us, no others in sight behind. The 6 of us were going for the win, no looking back now! The group worked pretty well together, occasionally riders would skip turns but generally it was pretty efficient, no pressure from behind, the task was now to figure out a winning move. 

Coming through the finish area nearing the end of the race. Photo credit Lino Vino.

Laaste ronde! 10km to go, a lap of attacks, but which one would prove decisive. I decided to play it cool and watch as the attacks were made and brought back, following the attacks I felt would go somewhere, biding my time to take my turn. With about 6km to go, I attacked, perhaps without enough conviction as I didn't get too far and I was counter attacked by the BMC development rider Loic Vliegen. The group came back together though as we all took a small breather after the bout of attacks. It wasn't long before Vliegen was off again though and nobody could respond, as soon as we'd hesitated he was away. The 5 of us began working together, somewhat halfheartedly though as riders started to think about a podium place instead of the win, incredibly frustrating that, but that's bike racing, I've just got to learn from the situation. So, coming into the final 2 kilometres, there was no more working together, it was a case of racing for the podium. After a kilometre or so of cat and mouse, the race was won and the 5 of us were together readying ourselves for a sprint. SPRINT! 400m to go, we were off, a flat out burst to the line, I'd mistimed my sprint very badly coming through 4th from the group to finish 5th. Disappointed to of not ridden the final kilometres better, but I definitely learned from it and was pleased to of been as involved as I was, a conformation that my form isn't too bad at the moment...

Photo credit Nadiri Daelemans.

After the race, I had my first doping control of the season, something I only experienced once last season, but it is something more frequent by the look of it this year, which is great to see. Based on how they choose the riders to be tested, I hope to be making a few samples this season...

Sprint for 2nd in Zele. Photo credit Nadiri Daelemans.

Sunday. Race day 2 of the weekend. Ichtegem. Despite yesterdays efforts, I woke up feeling fairly fresh and got into my usual pre race routine, keen to show myself in the race again, by way of getting in the break and riding for the win.

140 riders on the start line and a circuit with lots of tight, twisting roads plus a grueling concrete drag to be tackled 17 times, it was going to be a hard race. All I was thinking about was getting in the breakaway as efficiently as possible. And so, as the race got underway, there was an immediate attack off the line, which happens in every kermis race and tends to just line things out  a bit for the first kilometre or so before the moves that are more likely to succeed begin. The early moves were covered well by the team, a full lap of attacks later and the race was still all together. However, on the start of the second lap, 2 riders jumped away gaining a handful of seconds. A few hundred metres later, I decided to go across. I put in a big effort to escape the clutches of the peloton, and it worked, taking one other rider with me, it was the moment to suffer and push on as riders hesitated behind. The breakaway was forming, 2 became 4 and 4 soon became 11. It was looking good!

Photo credit Lynn Huyghe.

It was a pretty strong group, so if any break was going to be successful, it'd be this one. The pace was high, it constantly felt like the peloton were breathing down our necks, 20 seconds...30 seconds...25 seconds. The pressure was on! The gap fluctuated between 20 seconds and a minute all race, the break remained fairly calm though as most riders continued to push on and others perhaps unable to aid the escape. I was feeling strong, being careful not to use up too much energy, but also wanting to ride positively and be in the right place at the right time, a difficult balancing act for sure, one I'm still trying to improve. 

Photo credit Pol Demeyere Pomer.

The race was getting exciting, for the spectators at least, as the front group, now of 10 was pegged at 20 seconds by the chase group of 17 behind. 4 laps to go, let the attacks begin! At this stage, most riders were still more concerned about working together, so the few attacks that took place, didn't go very far. We were now in sight of the chasing group behind, which makes a huge difference when you are trying to close those final few hundred metres. We kept working though and despite the group splitting several times we always regrouped as riders stuttered on their tactics for the last 10km of the race. 

Following an attack through the finish area. Photo Credit Donald Peuteman.

Coming into the final lap, up the concrete drag for the penultimate time, the group split to bits as EFC rider Benjamin Declercq put in a big attack, I was fading and try as I might to hold onto the group, I lost contact. However, I looked behind to see 2 riders coming across, fast. One was Stijn Minne, a 'hitter' in these races and I knew if I waited for him, we'd get back to the front. And we did. Half a lap to go, less than 4 kilometres, 2 riders were away, but no more than 10 seconds, all to play for. As we turned onto the concrete drag with about 1.5 kilometres to go I followed a big attack which created a group of 5, giving us a few seconds heading into the final kilometre, I hesitated though and so did the other 4. In hindsight, I really should of attacked at this moment, given it all or nothing. In the end it was basically a drag race to the finish line, which I rolled across in 10th, absolutely spent. I was pretty pleased to be involved at the sharp end of the racing for a second day and third race in a row, but at the same time, disappointed to of not been able to push for those top placings. Still, I definitely learnt a few things to take into my next races!

Photo credit Pol Demeyere Pomer.

It was a solid weekend for me and the team, 3 riders in the top 10 on Saturday, 2 riders in the break on Sunday and Peter in the chase group behind. I'm very confident of maintaining the current level and improving on it. I cannot wait to get stuck into another double weekend of racing, I'll definitely be heading into both races looking to improve on current results, learning how I can win, is my next objective. 

We race in Wervik on Saturday and Wijnendale-Torhout on Sunday, wish us luck!

Taylor

Meulebeke and Haringe!!

As the weekend drew nearer, another double header of racing was upon us. After no results last weekend in Geluwe and Ichtegem, where I rode aggressively but lacked some race sharpness, I was determined to make amends. I found myself getting carried away that weekend, desperate to ride across to the break with any move that looked likely. Sometimes you have to go with several moves before one sticks, and the key is to judge your efforts.

One of my many attempts to get across to the front group in Geluwe.

Ichtegem 1.12A, finishing circuits!

Ichtegem 1.12A

That double weekend of racing left me slightly fatigued and in need of a easier week after consistent training since the middle of February. So, come Saturday I felt ready and eager to race again, looking to show something for my decent early season form. Saturday's race in Meulebeke was a typical early season day in Belgium, cold, windy and overcast. The circuit started with a technical section through town, then a couple of k's of wide open roads, into a narrow twisting section  before turning onto finish straight. A circuit like this means a lot of fighting for position, a huge amount of skill is needed to stay well positioned, whilst using as little energy as possible, although sometimes you just need to get there, no hesitation!

160 riders arrived at the start line, ready to fight for that first corner barely 50 metres ahead of us. I started towards the back of the peloton, aiming to hit the front just before the narrow roads in anticipation of a split or attack that would blow the race apart. I got myself in a good position, avoiding the stress of fighting for cover in the long line of riders, preparing myself for an almost inevitable split in the tailwind section to the finish line that followed. One lap down, less than 7km and already some of the 160 rider peloton that started together had succumbed to the nature of the circuit and conditions.

It wasn't long before riders began looking at each other after a flurry of attacks, it was at this point that a group of 10 riders clipped away, and I made the mistake of hesitating, perhaps lacking a bit of confidence as I hadn't felt so good until now, but it was a dangerous move and a good time to go. The gap went out to over a minute very quickly, as it often does when a small group like that gets organised and the speed of the peloton fluctuates as riders attack intermittently. I decided that it would be useful one way or another to follow a rider who is consistently fighting for the win, an ex pro and someone that I can definitely learn from. It wasn't long before said rider attacked, with me on his wheel and 6 others coming across, it was time to put our heads down and ride! 

Chase group of 8 mentioned above, up up up!

A lap later and we had got ourselves closer, yet still just over a minute behind the front group, a bridgeable gap if a group work together in an efficient manner. Unfortunately, there were still a lot of riders interested in riding hard back in the peloton, our chase attempt was to no avail. I then spent the remainder of the race trying different things, moving around the peloton and attacking into corners to test my skills and get something out of the race since a result was no longer possible. I finished safely in the peloton for 56th, rather disappointed and extremely motivated to force a result in Haringe the next day.

Haringe, break established. 

Haringe. A local race for us Tomacc boys, a mere 10km from the team house, another reason for high motivation. I planned to attack from the start, not to go flat out, but ride hard, with the intent of getting away early. I started on the fourth row, roughly mid-pack amongst the 80 starters but forced my way through quickly as we got onto narrow roads within the first hundred metres of the race. I saw a couple of riders forcing the pace at the front and decided it was time to add fuel to the fire. As two riders broke clear, the peloton hesitated and I took this as an opportunity to go! Riding across to the two in front and pressing on instantly as we eked out a gap to the riders chasing. It wasn't long before a small group of 7 came across, including new team mate and ex British domestic pro Peter Hawkins, good move for us, don't panic, just ride!

Establishing the break on first lap, led here by ex pro Steven Caethoven.

The break formed very smoothly, with every rider committed and willing to take a double or longer turn in order to make it a successful escape. I was feeling really comfortable, and focused on the task in hand, and having a reliable team mate in the break with me really eased the pressure, I was confident. The laps ticked by seamlessly, cohesion in the group remained. After around 30km, a large group of 12 or so came across to us. I became very vigilant at this point because often this can trigger a bout of attacks from riders unwilling to work with such a large group. However, for a couple of laps at least, most riders maintained their work rate.

50km to go. It was time to make things less complicated and split the group up! Heading into the crosswind section towards the end of the circuit, the Leopard Development Team rider attacked into the gutter with one rider on his wheel, I jumped into their slipstream and pushed on as riders behind scrambled for the wheel in front. It had worked. 10 riders were dropped. 12 remained, including myself and Pete. Things had gotten interesting! 

The end of the race was in sight and you could sense the change of atmosphere in the group, who would make the next move, who is going well and who was just hanging on. Poker faces all round. Looks can sometimes be deceiving, so this is usually the time when riders going well will test the water, making either a half hearted attack, or dig in the tail/crosswind sections. I was still feeling strong, and had definitely recognised a threat from a couple of the riders, not long left now, staying focused was vitally important. 

Easier said than done though, I let my focus slip for a second, and Steven Caethoven had made a move on the twisty roads of the tailwind section, I was 3 riders too far back at this point and the front 6 moved away. I hesitated about riding across as Peter had made that group, not wanting to take riders with me. I took a couple of turns with the riders behind, before trying to jump across the 50 metre gap by myself in the crosswind, I got about halfway before stalling, chance of going for the win, was disappearing. 

We now had less than 30 km remaining. Still a decent result to be had, I had my eyes on the best of the second group as the front 6 had established a gap that was near on impossible to bridge in the circumstances. Heading into the last lap, I had decided to leave it late, as the last kilometre or so was headwind. I was third wheel coming into the last 500 metres, who will make the first move. BAM, the sprint was launched, I left it to 200 metres before coming out the wheels, but could only manage 3rd in the group, so 9th on the day. 

The sprint for the win!

Pete sprinted to 3rd, to give the team our first podium of the season, I'm very confident there will be many more to come for the team!

Zele and Ichtegem this weekend, both 1.12B category. Cannot wait to line up again on Saturday,will post to Twitter how each race goes before doing a write up after the weekend :)

Thanks for reading!

Taylor

Cinq...Quatre...Trois...Deux...Une, Allez!!

Cycling Team Tomacc 2015

First race of a new season can usually feel like a dive into the unknown. Months of rest and progressive training had left me feeling confident I was in good enough condition to start off strongly.

The race was in Tournai, a small town in Wallonie region of Belgium, close to the French border. We arrived an hour and a half before the start, giving us plenty of time to sign on and prepare ourselves for the race. The circuit was 16.8 km, some rolling roads and plenty of exposure to the wind, it was definitely going to be a hard race!
Start 2.30pm. As we waited for the instruction from the commissaire, I had a slight feeling of disbelief that a new race season was about to get underway. It doesn't feel all that long ago since I was lining up at my last race of 2014, at the start of October. I was nervous, but equally excited to test my condition and start with a positive result.

First race number of 2015!

Cinq minutes...Trois minutes...Une minute...Allez! We were off, a pack of 122 riders diving for the first right hand corner into the narrow streets of town. Each rider as excited as the next, all eager to get themselves to the front with the aim of staying out of danger or to launch an attack.
I'd started near the back of the bunch, steadily making my way to the front within the first 15km, as soon as I'd got there I jumped off the front to a group of fifteen at 10 seconds, an effort that was harder than I'd expected and didn't come to much, as the peloton caught us shortly after. I recovered, held my position at the front, waiting for a lull to make another move.
This lull occurred around 3 km later, just past the finish line. I attacked on the outside of the peloton as we approached the tight right hander into the narrow roads. At this point there were 4 riders spread out, dangling off the front over 10 seconds. I rode past all of them and pushed on to maintain momentum, flicked my elbow and looked back to see the damage, we were away. It was seven of us against a 115 rider peloton, we worked well together initially, pulling out a gap of 30 seconds in no time.

In the break, first race of the season. 

Due to the nature of the course and the weather conditions, it was really tough to increase our advantage out front, with long, open roads and strong winds, we were always in sight and constantly working hard to maintain the time gap. Kilometre after kilometre the gap remained, "trente seconds".

I was feeling strong and also confident that I had a chance of winning, or at least getting on the podium. However, approaching the final 25 km of the race three riders were coming across to us and a larger group of fifteen not far behind them were also getting closer. This situation led to an attack on the toughest section of the circuit from Pierre Drancourt (Ex Bouygues Telecom Pro), despite feeling good earlier, I didn't have the legs to follow anymore and unfortunately lost contact with the front five. I then jumped in with a fast moving group of three coming across, worked with those guys for a lap before finally getting dropped by them with 3 km to go. I kept pushing though, not far from the finish and with a group of 15 getting close, I was determined to hold my position at the very least, but with a strong headwind all the way to the finish it was going to be a pretty hard task with only a handful of seconds advantage. I was caught and followed a couple of attacks approaching the final kilometer, but the group came in together and I finished 18th.

It was a pretty disappointing result for me after spending over 90 km out front in a promising break and feeling strong, however, that's bike racing. On reflection, there are definitely some positives to take from the race though, it's a promising sign to feel like I've jumped straight back into where I left off at the end of last season. It makes me even more confident for the rest of the season now, this is only the beginning.

My next race is on Saturday in Geluwe, another kermesse in West Flanders, pretty local to us, so really looking forward to getting stuck in again!!

A couple of photo's below of team presentation from Friday night, was a great night, excited to see the success and improvements made with the team this year!

"Ready to make big improvements this season, after learning so much last year"

Looking forward to getting results with this group of lads!

Could of sworn I was smiling...Must mean business!