Gathering Momentum… The result in Lierde was backed up with an 8th in Geluwe (13/03/10). A chase of the lead group over the last 30km led to an exciting finish. Unfortunately the chase group I was in just run out of road to make the junction with the leaders… another km maybe would of done it!
Even though some of the riders were pulled back six remained just in front and would fight it out for the win.
I jumped away from the chase group with around 1km to go and was joined by a Beveren 2000 rider (Quick Step feeder team) and we would go on to claim 7th and 8th respectively.
The day after I was to race again in a kermesse in Koolskamp (14/03/10).
I missed out on lead group when the hammer went down after a crash in the peleton early on (even more important in Belgium where the racing is so aggressive from the off to stay near the front otherwise you will miss the move), but in a real race of attrition where the peloton gradually wore thinner and thinner lap by lap I found myself in a small group going for 16th.
When it comes to Belgium whether your going for 1st or going for 30th theres still pride at stake (and some well earned euros!) and so it’s always a race to the end.
I was to come in 17th, so still a solid performance having worked hard to get myself even into that position.
A ride out to the race and back meant a good training day was had, with some good hard racing and some more euros in my back pocket for good measure.
Results
13/03/2010- GELUWE (W) 1.12B – ind.reg.wedstr.(100-120 km) Elite z.c./U23
Aantal deelnemers: 96
1.NACHTERGAELE NIELS, NEW HEEBRA-LOMBARDEN, 02:51:30
2. KUYPERS BART, ISOMAX – KENTUCKY CT MIDDELKERKE 00:00:10
3. NAUWYNCK STIJN, NEW HEEBRA-LOMBARDEN
4. DEGRAEVE THOMAS, PASS CYCLISME
5. VANHUFFEL WIM, WORLDOFBIKE.GR
6. GODERIS JELLE, CYCLING TEAM LUTHO
7. VERHELST LOUIS, WIELERGROEP BEVEREN 2000 VZW 00:00:25
8. PATTEN DANIEL, ASFRA RACING TEAM
9. DEVRIENDT TOM, NEW HEEBRA-LOMBARDEN 00:00:35
10. DECLERCQ THIERRY, WIELERTEAM DECOCK-SPORTIVO MOORSELE
14/03/2010- KOOLSKAMP (W)
1.12B – ind.reg.wedstr.(100-120 km) Elite z.c./U23
Aantal deelnemers: 100
1. CLAEYS KEVIN PWS EIJSSEN CYCLING TEAM 02:41:00
2. RAEDT NIELSEN ISOMAX – KENTUCKY CT MIDDELKERKE
3. MAENE KEVIN CYCLING TEAM LUTHO
4. DEBAENE MARTIJN PWS EIJSSEN CYCLING TEAM
5. GELDHOF DAVID WIELERTEAM DECOCK-SPORTIVO MOORSELE
6. NAUWYNCK STIJN NEW HEEBRA-LOMBARDEN
7. VANDENBUSSCHE JENS NEW HEEBRA-LOMBARDEN :01:01
8. SERLET TOM KSV DEERLIJK GAVERZICHT VZW
9. BORRY KIM AN POST SEAN KELLY TEAM :03:01
10. NACHTERGAELE NIELS NEW HEEBRA-LOMBARDEN :03:16
11. TAKENOCHI YO
12. DEMEYERE GEOFFREY WIELERTEAM DECOCK-SPORTIVO MOORSELE :03:49
13. D`HAEMERS JASON DMC- CYCLING TEAM
14. CHAMON ALEXANDER WC SOENENS- JARTAZI-CONSTRUKT GLAS
15. RAMMANT STIJN WIELERTEAM DECOCK-SPORTIVO MOORSELE
16. NANKERVIS TOMMY CINELLI-DOWN UNDER :05:01
17. PATTEN DANIEL ASFRA RACING TEAM
18. VANDER MEIREN WARD WIELERTEAM DECOCK-SPORTIVO MOORSELE
19. DEVOLDERE NIKI WIELERTEAM DECOCK-SPORTIVO MOORSELE
20. VANDENHEEDE KENNY CYCLING TEAM LUTHO
