Win number 3 in Belgium!

Sint Katelijne Waver Kermesse, 93km, Saturday 29th August 2009. This race was 16 laps of a 5.8km circuit on very exposed, windy roads! There were 65 starters which included a lot of foreign riders and pro riders who do not usually turn up at kermesses, so I was looking forward to an interesting race!

On the first lap a Belgian girl attacked to take a prime and she stayed away so at the start of the 3rd lap I attacked to go across to her. Christina Becker, a German rider who rides for the pro team Nurnberger and who has also reprented Germany in the Team Pursuit on the track, came with me and we soon caught the Belgian rider Hannah Verhaeghe. After a lap of working together a Dutch rider from the Lotto Belisol team Vera Koedooder came across to us, making a break of 4!

We worked well together and built up a lead of over 4 minutes on the bunch and also picked up some primes along the way! Coming into the finish I was second wheel and waited until Vera Koedooder started the sprint and I managed to come round her to take the win!

I was really pleased as my parents were here to watch today and my dad got some great photos!

Second win in Belgium!

There was no racing during the week last week so I took the opportunity to get some good training done. I then raced on Saturday at Morkhoven, near Herentals and won! Below is my race report and a selection of images:





Herentals Kermesse, 90km, Saturday 22nd August 2009. This race was 20 laps of a 4.5km circuit, mainly on narrow twisty lanes, apart from a fast, wide finishing straight and there were 87 starters. The race was fast from the start with everyone strung out in the lanes and sprinting out the corners. I tried to keep a good position and put in my first attack after 4 laps. I got a good gap with one other girl and then 3 more riders came across to us but unfortuately it came back together.

Initial break early on. Photos thanks to Ruben Verhaeghe

There was a lot more attacking but it wasn't until just over halfway, with 9 laps to go, that I got away with one other girl. We worked well together and built up a good lead of over 2 minutes. I was feeling strong so having gone through with 2 laps to go I attacked and rode away to take the win by a minute from my breakaway companion, then just over 2 minutes back to the bunch!

Successful breakaway with Veerle Ingels

Away on my own for the last lap and a half.

Finish!

After the finish with Joscelin Ryan. Photo thanks to Daniel Shand

Link to more photos

Win in Belgium

I have ridden 3 more races out here in Belgium since my last blog and last night I won!

Hoeleden Kermesse, 96km, Thursday 13th August. My first win on the road this season! The race was 12 laps of a 7km circuit and on lap 5 my team mate Hannah attacked. I went across with another woman so there ended a break of 3 of us with 7 laps to go. Me and Hannah worked well together and we built up a lead of over 2 minutes. I felt strong whilst we were away so was confident for the finish. Hannah jumped first but I got round her to take the win!

The break with me on the front and Hannah on my wheel.

After the finish with Hannah. Photo thanks to Joscelin Ryan.

Here is a link to more pictures from the race at Hoeleden: http://www.cyclingnews.nu/wedstrijdverslagen%20weg%202009/Dames%20Elite%202009/Hoeleden13-08-2009.htm#Donderdag

Brasschaat Kermesse, 101km, Tuesday 11th August. This race was part of the Wielertrofee series so there was a big field of 115 riders. There were also two sections of cobbles on the 9km course to make things more interesting! I was in a break of 3 early on but this got brought back and then the next break stayed away! So I ended up in a chase group of 7 of us sprinting for 7th place. I was 3rd in this sprint so took 10th place. I was pleased as I felt strong today while riding in the breaks so think I am starting to get a bit of form!

Belgium Racing Block Report 1

I have been out in Belgium a week and a half now and have ridden 6 races, 5 in Belgium and 1 in Holland.

Bambrugge Kermesse, 90km, Friday 24th July. Being my first race in Belgium since April and first proper race since the 8 weeks spent training in Manchester I was unsure how I would find it. Luckily I surprised myself and was up there attacking and getting stuck in. Unfortunately a break got away in the closing laps and despite numerous attacks other riders were unwilling to work with me so I was unable to bridge the gap. However I then surprised myself by coming 2nd in the bunch sprint to take 5th in the race. So pretty pleased with this for race number 1!

Boezinge Kermesse, 108km, Sunday 26th July. I made the mistake today of being at the back when the break formed in the opening few laps! I went on the attack to try and bridge the gap and nearly made it but the woman who came with me wouldn’t work so unfortunately we didn’t make it and the break was gone! I ended up back in the bunch but attacked again later in the race and stayed away to take 13th place.

Grote Prijs Kapellen 60km, Tuesday 28th July. My best result so far has been 3rd place in the Kapellen Criterium. I spent the race always up the front of the bunch attacking and going with moves but in the end the race finished in a bunch sprint. I was pleased with my 3rd place as my sprint has never been my strong point before!

On the attack! (All photos thanks to Joscelin Ryan)

Flowers for 3rd place!

Herentals Post Tour Criterium 40km, Thursday 30th July. Again I got stuck into the race and kept attacking and going with moves. My team mate Hannah Mayho attacked and won on her own so the bunch was sprinting for 2nd. I ended up with 12th place which was alright as my legs were beginning to feel a bit tired after racing every other day since I have been here!

Before the start with Dani, Starla and Lizzie.

On the attack!

Erondegem Kermesse 107km, Saturday 1st August. Not such a good day for me today. It was very hot and with no helper to hand up bottles I struggled a little in the heat. I had a few attacks but nothing stuck for very long. Towards the end one girl got away so it was another sprint for 2nd place. I was in second wheel coming up to the last corner but got swamped and slipped back so only finished in 25th place. However it was still a good long race on an interesting circuit including an uphill section of cobbles which are always fun!



Draai van de Kaai, Roosendaal Post Tour Criterium (Holland) 60km, Monday 3rd August. I had not ridden this race before and have not had much experience of racing in Holland and having seen all the big names on the start list I was unsure how I would get on! But I felt good and started up the front. The circuit was 2.7km and all on “klinkers” – like cobbles but not quite as bad! I got involved with the early attacking and probably did a little too much but the bunch had halved in size pretty quickly. In the second half of the race I put in a big attack and stayed away on my own for a few laps, picking up some primes and even a “Super Prime”! I was caught before the end though and despite a few more attacks and ending up in a small break with 2 laps to go, this was brought back and it was a bunch sprint for the finish. I came in 20th but was pleased with how I rode today. The racing in Holland is a lot different to the racing in Belgium and it was a nice change to race some different people.

On the attack again!

I now have a few easy days before racing again this coming weekend. There are a lot of races coming up now so I need to take advantage of these easy days while I can and hopefully improve on my best result of 3rd so far!