Today’s race consisted of 187 km course that was mainly flat with some cobbles and varied weather. It was a UCI 1.2 which included both continental and amateur teams. When we arrived in Hoboken, which is located just on the outskirts of Antwerpen, we found our way to the kleedkomers (shower and changing rooms). We were given a medium sized room with a shower where the team was able to stay warm and chat away. We had two hours before the start of the race and slowly began our changing process. After receiving our rub downs and getting our radios from Anne and Noel we made our way back to the team van in order to hear our team strategy from Bernard. He told us that it was a very fast race and at certain points the race would be strung out due to some turns, high speed, and wind. He wanted us to stick to the front and not wait too long to go with any breaks. He wanted us to be prepared and on our toes ready for any moves that may get away. He then told us to begin our warm up and make sure that it was a good one in order to be prepared for the fast start.
We rolled out as a team and signed in and began cruising around the start area. After about 30 minutes of riding around, we lined up. I was able to begin at the line in the very front of the peloton, with some of my teammates, which was ideal. The weather was not to bad as it was partly sunny and mild temperatures. We had the usual waiting period for the go-ahead and the whistle blew. A quick clip in to the pedal and I was right on the front with two guys in front of me. We had a neutral start for about two or so minutes and the race began. The speed picked up and we weaved our way out of town. There was quite a bit of obstacles on the sides of the road and a bike path as well which came in handy to move up. Within the first few kilometers of the race a small break occurred which I chased down and managed to tag along on the back. It wasn’t a strong break and nobody really worked together, so I had a feeling it would get caught fast (which it did!). As the peloton approached quickly, a rider in the group had looked back to check out the status of the break and turned back around only to find himself tumbling off his bike. It was a silly mistake on his part but we kept riding on. Once the peloton caught us I shot back to the middle of the pack where I would be for the next 80 or so kilometers. I would move around a bit from the back of the peloton toward the top third but not enough toward the front where I should have been. During the first lap a teammate made a break with 15 other riders which ended up sticking throughout the entire day. Our team’s job was to stay at the front and help out and watch attacks. But, I just couldn’t get up there until the beginning of lap 3. That was when the weather turned foul covering us with hard rain, extremely dark clouds, and hail. I was able to get to the very front with the other teammates and help out a bit sticking onto groups that were trying to break and to help out a teammate that had to relieve himself. It wouldn’t be very long until I found myself at the back with popped legs. I rode the rest of the loop and pulled out having ridden 140 km for the day. The team did well today; working hard and having a man in the break. Now I just have to clear the mind and prepare myself for the next UCI 1.12 race on Saturday in Denain, France.
