Its been a nice week being back with the team and seeing all the guys and gals on the circuit after a long winter. Once again its been a spectacular race here in Houffalize. With rain pouring down all Saturday, the course transformed into one mean monster, which is great for us as we are all on our full suspension Scalpels. But race day turned out much nicer, creating a mixed course with slick roots and greasy ruts under the trees, but then some fast dry climbs as well.
The opening climb was as last year, a near vertical road for 300m. This year it was just 50m too long for me, as I was sitting well until the very end, at which point my motor died and I slipped back from the top 10 into the 30s. Then it was straight into greasy slippery single track, so elbows out and the bitch fight had begun! I struggled for a few laps just holding onto wheels, but then somehow the legs opened up and I started passing riders. I was riding Black Pantha 'tubular' tires for the first time in a big race. The feeling was quite particular, but once I got the confidence, I was able to make a lot of time on the rough sections. I was able to hold this momentum through through till the end passing blown riders rapidly alone the way. That's always a nice way to race, as its always motivating to catch and pass someone, rather then the other way round! Finally I finished 9th, for the second year in a row at Houffalize, last on my team, yet still in the top 10. Jacob was our champion of the day finishing 4th.. his best yet.. but I've no doubt there's still better to come. Up front it was Julian who proved he's better then ever and young Nino Schuter showed his talent to place a solid 2nd.
Unfortunately for Rosara Joseph it was not such a nice weekend. She crashed in training and broke her foot.. i can just imagine how frustrating that must be.
Being in Belgium, of course we had to celebrate the good results with some chimays.. the best beer ever!
Now we are spending a few days in Hoffalize before crossing over the boarder into Germany on Wednesday for the next round. And the town is not the same at all... just a few left over riders out on the roads, but the town is deserted, very strange after the mass crowds yesterday. Its good for me to have nothing to do for a while.. catch up on all the small things, read my book and watch some Six Feet Under and Flight of the Concords... my favourite tv shows i have downloaded on my mac.
The opening climb was as last year, a near vertical road for 300m. This year it was just 50m too long for me, as I was sitting well until the very end, at which point my motor died and I slipped back from the top 10 into the 30s. Then it was straight into greasy slippery single track, so elbows out and the bitch fight had begun! I struggled for a few laps just holding onto wheels, but then somehow the legs opened up and I started passing riders. I was riding Black Pantha 'tubular' tires for the first time in a big race. The feeling was quite particular, but once I got the confidence, I was able to make a lot of time on the rough sections. I was able to hold this momentum through through till the end passing blown riders rapidly alone the way. That's always a nice way to race, as its always motivating to catch and pass someone, rather then the other way round! Finally I finished 9th, for the second year in a row at Houffalize, last on my team, yet still in the top 10. Jacob was our champion of the day finishing 4th.. his best yet.. but I've no doubt there's still better to come. Up front it was Julian who proved he's better then ever and young Nino Schuter showed his talent to place a solid 2nd.
Unfortunately for Rosara Joseph it was not such a nice weekend. She crashed in training and broke her foot.. i can just imagine how frustrating that must be.
Being in Belgium, of course we had to celebrate the good results with some chimays.. the best beer ever!
Now we are spending a few days in Hoffalize before crossing over the boarder into Germany on Wednesday for the next round. And the town is not the same at all... just a few left over riders out on the roads, but the town is deserted, very strange after the mass crowds yesterday. Its good for me to have nothing to do for a while.. catch up on all the small things, read my book and watch some Six Feet Under and Flight of the Concords... my favourite tv shows i have downloaded on my mac.
1 Comments:
Good ride Kashi, a real shame about Rosara. Damn I would consider becoming a trappist Monk if I was allowed to brew that beer. Its the favourite of the jville cycles guys. Cheers jeff
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