Free time at long last!

So the last post Lindsay filled you in on what its like as a soigneur when we were in France. For me the race on Saturday went well with no wheel changes, but Sunday was a bit more hetic. There is some photo's in my gallery, and you will proberly see the roads were'nt proper roads, so it was a busy day for me with a total of seven changes.

So after that long drive home into the wee hours of the night, Lindsay and I had a well deserved sleep in. Chris had taken the truck straight home, so he did'nt turn up with the it till about 11, by which i was only just out of bed. The bikes were very dusty from the day before and had to be washed, but a couple of the guys came over to grab their bike before i even got it out of the truck, so they took it upon themself to hose it off so they could get out to spin the legs over. After cleaning up the bikes, it was time to call it a day, as it was fairly hot outside for Belgium [anything over 25 is hot, over 30 is a heatwave, it's been about 28 here for 2 weeks],so i would enjoy some time off and do the wheels at a later stage.

The team all had a week off racing, so this meant only one thing for me...to go ride as much as possible. Tuesday was a easy ride for the boys at the house, so i headed into Leuven to the regular coffee stop to have one with the boys, although i dont drink coffee a milkshake would do seen it was another warm day and all, the cooler days its a hot chocolate. The next day i decided to venture out on a ride on my own as the boys were just going into Leuven again, its a little more than good coffee in Leuven, especially on a nice day, if you get my drift.

As i headed out on my course that i mapped out and wrote the directions down on paper, it was'nt long before i was lost and my directions were useless. So i took the main roads home. That afternoon Lindsay and i headed into a bike shop for a look, it was the biggest shop that was nearby, over 1000 sqm in all with 4 levels. Like all shops here, you can't tell the difference between a shop and a house, and bike shops pop up everywhere in the middle of nowhere, in what you think is a house. This one was a proper shop though. The only shop I can compare it to is Clarence Street in Sydney, in both stock and layout. However where Clarence St is full of Trek, this store is full of a number of brands (including Trek), so just imagine it, Clarence St plus other brands. Different levels were reserved for different bike types, and the range was HUGE, catering for all price points. Well layed out too (oh, and a Blue toolboard in the workshop!)

Thursday i had another go at my training loop only to find myself lost again, but i remembered most of the way without looking at my directions and got a bit further before I got lost. In the arvo Lindsay and i headed over the boarder into Holland to look at a shop there, with the intention of picking up Linds a cheap bike. Chris had told us they were really good for frames on sale and their range was big. We had done some research on their website, and found that they are generally CHEAPER than most places/internet. You can check it out at www.salden.nl just to have a look, though it's in dutch.

It was about an hours drive and we were there, this shop was huge. They had top brands like Trek, Pinerello, Look, Time, Bianchi and more, and every size or colour. Their accessory range was massive, like if you want a handlebar, they had ITM, Deda, FSA, Bontrager, Ritchey, Pro and some cheaper items as well, now thats choice. So anyway, we looked around (but didn't get 'served', you could stand in a European shop all day and not get served unless you asked) and found this 06 model Bianchi frame and fork that was alloy with carbon seat stays and a full carbon fork, sitting on a rack with 'clearance' frames. It was white with silver and Lindsay loved the colour, so for 399 euros, we thought why the hell not. We picked it up and took it to the counter to measure it too see if it'd fit (just cos it looks like it'll fit doesn't mean it will), but it was too big and we thought Lindsay would miss out on it, then they said 'oh but we have more sizes out the back in boxes'. Luckily they had Lindsay's size.

Then we needed a build kit [which consist of bar,stem,post], so with some discussion about trying new things, we went the Ritchey Pro, mainly cos its good value for money. Then it was the groupset, I talked Linds into trying something different so we went with Sram Rival. Some extra items like cages, pedals and some bar tape and we were done, all up we spent 1150 euros, a bargin. We'll get some cheap wheels off the team. But i couldnt help thinking it was all wrong, i left with some knee warmers and Lindsay walks out with a bike, but then again, she didnt have a bike at all, whereas i have the use of a team bike, so fairs fair i guess. We quickly headed home so i could put it together.

Working with the Sram was new, as i have never worked with it before, so even thou im a professional mechanic its always good to read the instructions for correct installation. Other than that it was like any other groupset ive fitted and went together quite well. I have found the Sram is best described as being half-campag ideas and half-shimano ideas. Some things like the gear cables under the bar tape is like campag, but it's mostly shimano compatable. Wasn't long and i was adjusting the gears, which was a task as the double tap shift system takes a little to get used to. Soon the bar tape was on and it was midnight, so time for bed (after some photos and admiring with the carbon DV reynolds wheels in it).



Working on the bike



With the Carbon DV Reynolds wheels (generally reserved for the team!)



The SRAM groupsets have very ergonomic hoods and levers, and the gear cables routed under the bar tape.

In the morning i set Lindsay up on the bike (We were lucky to do our calculations and picked the perfect length stem, RESEARCH,RESEARCH,RESEARCH) and we headed out for the maiden voyage. Another fine day in Belge so it was a good 70km covered. Although Linds was a bit tired, she was really happy with her purchase. The only downside is that the Sram hoods are a little big for her little hands to get a good grip when out of the saddle, but she says the hoods and levers are, although ugly, very ergonomically comfortable.
So Saturday was another day of riding in the fantastic Belgian sun and a vist to the local bike shop again [in which we had to take the town bikes cos the car was out, so that was another 20km for the day] to get Linds a computer for the bike.

Then i realised i haven't washed all those wheels yet, so the idea of riding in the morning and kicking back to watch Liege live on tv might not happen, but one things for sure, im definatly going for a ride then i'll wash the wheels.
Monday i go to Germany for a race, so it's back to work tomorrow to get the bikes and truck ready, but gee the weeks been good, i even managed to clock up 320km so far for the week, i'll be racing again in no time.

Keep riding

Reporting for Soigneur Duties

(By Linds)

As I said in the last post, I was able to accompany the team to the Brittany region of France for the weekend, acting as 2nd Soigneur. It was a loooong drive, and a loooong weekend, followed by an even loooonger drive home. Here's how it went:

We left at the crack of dawn for the 1000km drive to Quimper. Relatively uneventful for a road trip. We got to our hotel in time for the boys to have a quick ride and stretch the legs. So Mark and Chris (2nd Mechanic) got the bikes out and the boys headed out. Michel (1st Soigneur) was in charge of pre-race rubs and post-race massage, while I was responsible for bidons and staff lunch and post-race snacks. So I headed out without a map to find a store to get stuff for Saturday's lunch.

After dinner while Mark and Chris cleaned the bikes and prepared them for the race, and while Michel was doing 8 massages, I prepared the bidons. Here's the rundown on the bidons:

8 riders = 16 starting bidons in the bikes, so I made up 16 carbo/energy bidons and 16 plain water, incase all riders wanted the same thing. Made a few extra for before the start. Total 40 bidons.

8 riders = 16 bidons to go into the race car (8 carbo, 8 water), plus empty bottles and full cans of coke and some bottles of water if they run out of full bidons. Total 16 bidons plus extra.

This gave a total of 56 bidons, just for start preparations!

Saturday morning we woke up to an unusually fine day for the region. It was picturesque, and I was sad to have to go to the feed station as opposed to in VIP 1 and enjoying the scenery and the race - Eric had drawn car 3.

My morning consisted of making up lunches for Eric, Mark, Michel, Chris and myself for the day - rolls, snacks... So in true soigneur style, you learn to improvise sometimes by stealing ham and cheese off the platters at the french buffet breakfast, and making up lunches in the resturant. It is always good to provide your own stuff however, incase the cheese and ham doesn't turn up, or you want to leave some for the others, and if you want something else like lettuce. After this, it was time to make sure things were organised, the esky's in the right spot, etc. etc. Then head off to the start. At the start, not much needs to be done - give the riders some bars for the early part of the race, and ensure they have enough to keep their energy high. Michel rubbed oil into their legs while I taped the ear pieces in place. Soigneurs just generally assist the riders getting ready. At the last minute, bidons are handed out (done at the last minute to ensure nobody - rider or spectator - slips any kind of doping substance into it while it's out of your sight. Bidons to be kept insight for as long as possible) and riders sent on their way.

Soigneurs then travel to the feed station, either directly or via another section of the race or via the local coffee shop. In the case of Saturday, we had a way to drive, so we just went straight there. We waited there for an hour and a half, during which time we made the feed bidons and bags and ate our own lunch.

8 riders = 16 bidons (8 carbo/energy + 8 water, 1 each per rider), 8 mussettes with 2 bidons, bar, gel and 'final' juice for a final spurt of energy.

Then we made some more bidons for after the race, and chilled the coke cans. The feed came and went with Pablo on the front of the bunch chewing his handlebars (He's the new recruit, about 160 cm tall, 50 kgs, columbian climber specialist, first time racing in Europe and at this level). Though uphill, the bunch went through VERY FAST, so many missed their bags from poor positioning. Evan followed orders and pulled out to save himself for sundays race.

Off to the finish, it was a race against the race! We got to drive the final local lap circuit, and see the hill the guys had to sprint up 5 times. It wasn't that hard in the whole scheme of the days course, but I'm definately glad I didn't have to ride it! Picture Terry's avenue in Belgrave... And go up and down and clock up 200 km...

We handed out bidons on the final local laps, until 3 to go (you're only allowed to give bidons from 50km into the race until 20 km from the end). In one passing, I gave out 5 bidons! 2 8km laps later, most of the boys had pulled out, and the race was within the last 20 km, so I went back to the van and provided the coke and made up some recovery bidons and water. The boys rode 3km home and called it a day.

With 2 hours before dinner and all relaxing after the race, the boys were hungry, so it was my job to source ingredients and make them some food - more sandwiches. Nobody told me this, so it was the riders who would come up to me and ask me if I had anything they could eat, then I got the idea.

After that I had to clean the returned used bidons (about 30) and make the starting 56 bidons + extra water bidons for Sundays race, and get things ready all over again, while Michel did the 8 massages.

Sunday's race was tough and hot and dusty, as there were 24 sections of dirt (not cobbles) roads and it was a sunny 25 deg - hence the extra water bidons in the race car.

Sunday was the same process as Saturday, however we chased the race to hand the remaining feed bags (after sitting at the feedstation for 3 hours waiting) to Mark and Eric in the car, before heading to the finish. At the finish circuits, the soigneurs get to stand on the circuit side of the barriers just after the finish line and hand out bidons for a specified time, then they wait until the finish and catch the riders after the line and give out coke and direct them to the vans. We had 4 riders finish, with Rhys getting 11th and Kane 24th (after having had to chase back on twice, the nature of this race like Paris-Roubaix is that it's not over if you get dropped/flat/crash)

After the race, I gave recovery bidons and made about 30 baguette-sandwiches for the boys, because we were heading all the way (1000kms) home sunday night, and wouldn't stop for dinner for about 3 hours. Though just because we were heading home didn't mean the duties stopped there. At pit-stops, the boys wanted things like recovery bidons and stuff, so I had to make them up.

The unknown side of the soigneur duties is to always drive the riders places, this included us 4 support staff having driven the entire way down, and 99% of the way home. 1000kms starting at 6pm meant we got back home today at 5am. So we worked all day, then drove all night. Luckily for Mark and I, Hamish rode with us and did a 2 hour stint about midnight, so I drove from about 2am - 4am, then Mark finished off. Needless to say the riders got some sleep, but Mark and I are stuffed.

Mark and the riders have a week off this week, then a few tours coming up, so he's hoping to get in some riding on Sven's race bike.

Till next time

Hold on tight!

(By Linds)

I say you have to hold on tight because riding in VIP 1 (aka the team car 'guest') is like being in a rally car at full speed. Tight turns, stop-starting, millimeters from other cars, and the occasional 2 cars wide on a road not wide enough for even 1 car! Even having to take the shoulder of the road and try to avoid hitting the little white poles, to pass an inexperienced peloton who won't move over! Eric's comment after Holland: "I've driven more on the grass today than on the actual road". You wouldn't know we were chasing a peloton, you'd think we were racing rally cars!

At least the first race I did (the Kermesse) was just a bunch of laps, and Eric thus didn't need directions.

Last Friday, I headed up to North Holland (50km from the North Sea, 20 km from Germany border, so far north they actually wear wooden Clogs!) with the team. One of the mechanics couldn't make it at the last minute, and with only 6 riders riding, Eric said I could go in the mechanics place.

Getting up there, we definately felt the effects of Friday 13th. Without going on, we basically had 7 hours to travel 220 km. Holland is like a carpark. Traffic jams for seemingly no reason. Traffic just stops then goes again 20 mins later.

The race itself, Ronde van Drenthe (Tour of Drenthe, aka Paris-Roubaix of Holland), was, um, not a nightmare, but, gee, I was glad I wasn't racing it! (It was also a womens world cup stop)

So I got to sit in VIP 1 for the 210 km race. It turned out to be good for Eric, because I deciphered the course script and was able to tell him how far things were away, like upcoming cobbles and the hill, so he could tell the riders. Normally he'd do this on his own, having marked them in the usual 1-page script of turns/points of interest. This script however, was 4 pages long, with no 2km without something 'of interest' such as the 'Hoge dremmels!' or huge speedhumps. So I carefully noted each point of interest to follow where we were at, so I could pass on the distance to the next set of cobbles to Eric.

Meanwhile, the cobbles themselves were horrid. Actually, much like the Arenberg forest they ride through on P-R. These cobbles were bumpy, didn't look like they'd had cars on them for ages, had dust and dirt, and even grass growing between them! Yup, noted for their terrible condition. And the sections were up to 3 km long! They were all in the thick bush, such that at some points we literally turned off a nice main road right into the cobbled bush track! (See the photos in the album).

The race began with Bjorn making the 15 man breakaway after the official start. They got a good 3 min lead, with all the major teams represented, and hit the first lot of cobbles. Bjorn had bad luck to flat both front and rear wheels at the same time on the cobbles! and didn't make it back onto the break. He was in no-mans land, before getting swallowed by the peloton, then calling it a day. Meanwhile, in the peloton, in the same section of cobbles, Rhys flatted so Nico swapped wheels, then Nico rode up to us, as we had followed Bjorn after his flat. Nico was so far off the peloton it's not funny, but 1km later, was through the caravan and back on! He played domestique for the day, though could have done some major damange and possibly won the race. On the last section of cobbles, the 10 or so guys left in the break dropped like flies with punctures, as did the guys in the peloton. I reckon every 50 metres a rider would flat! Chaos in the dust!

Round and round in circles we went, 210 km within an area of no more than 30 sq km. We repeated a lot of sections, including a nasty 500 m 23% climb 5 times. Holland is flat, (trust me, Beach Road looks like the Pyrenees compared to both Holland and Belgium), so they found this nasty climb over the levee bank of the local tip! All the same, it worked a treat to liven things up. We had Matti, Rhys and Evan still possible for a race result until Matti had a run in with a car on the last descent of the climb, 10 km to the finish. Rhys worked hard all day, and didn't have enough left in the tank to join the guys having a last dig at the 3 still 20 sec up the road. Evan finished a respectable place in the bunch kick.

3 hours later we were home.

Today was Sheldeprijs, around the local provence where we live. I started the day with the soigneur and 2nd mechanic driving the truck from the start to the finish 20km away, then heading to the feed station. I was to learn how to soigneur because after losing the full time soigneur last weekend the team was desperate for a 2nd soigneur to take to south of France this weekend. Feeding riders requires putting a few bidons and some energy bars/gels in the musette, then holding them for the riders to grab. This is a very nerve wracking time, esp. when they go through at 50 km/h like they did today.

Here, Eric stopped because he was supposed to pick up the teams doctor for a ride in the car, but the doctor was nowhere to be seen, so I got to jump in VIP 1 again. A rather uneventful race for us, in terms of stoppages. A few guys came back for drinks and stuff, so I had to tip a can of coke into a bidon while Eric was flying over speed humps! Otherwise, the only other highlight of this ride was when Eric found out I had been wanting to see Tom Boonen, so he called up the Quickstep car for a chat, as Tom was sitting in their VIP 1 seat! Eric told Tom I was here from Aust, the girlfriend of the new Mechanic! I very-overcome-with-the-omg-he's-a-superstar and waved and smiled and said 'hi' and he waved and smiled and said 'hi' back! Eric just laughed. I tell you though, he was much hotter in the flesh than he is in all those pictures!

Then we got to the local laps, and I got out to let the doctor in, and I stayed with the soigneurs for the finish. I got to stand at the end of the finish straight after the photographers (mind you, best view of the big screen in the vicinity), and caught the riders as they finished to hand them the post-race bidons.

Then it was all over.

Two days time, we have to leave at some stupid hour of the morning for the 900 km drive to France for a race on Sat and a race on Sun. My job is to soigneur, do all the things a soigneur would do, except massage, because I'm not experienced at that. I will have to make bidons, prepare race feed bags, rub oil on legs, prepare lunches for staff, and general looking after of riders and staff. Will let you know how it goes.

For now, check out the photos in the gallery, and stay tuned!

A Quiet Gent-Wevelgem.

My preparation for my first big classic went well. The bikes were all working well and i had plenty of wheels to use.
We arrived at the hotel in the afternoon around 4o'clock, so i had heaps of time to finalise the bikes. This was the same hotel we stayed at for the Het Volk race so i new exactly where to set up,although Eric thought otherwise until i told him "but the water tap is over there",which he replied "ok",so i parked the truck closest to the water supply.Normally i would'nt, or sould i say should'nt need the water before a race, but there is always one or two guys that will turn up with a dirty bike. Eric said to me once that in 14 years as a pro not once did he turn up to a race with a dirty bike.So we tell the riders it will cost them 10euro for each mechanic to wash the bike before a race. Then Robby says he will give us 50euro if he turns up with a dirty bike, so immeadatly the price was put up for every rider to 50euro.
Eddy was 2nd mechanic at this race, so he got to work on washing some wheels i never had time to do and washing the two bikes that were'nt clean.Then there was frame numbers to fit, carbon brake pads to fit and the wheels to put in. We try to as much as possible the day before so the next morning we dont have to get up as early. With all the wheels in, numbers on, brakes and gears adjusted there was nothing left to do but load the race car and pump all the tyres.
While we're doing all this, the soingeurs are busy massaging the riders and organising their food supply for the days racing. The riders might then come ask for some adjustments to be made to their bike, like seat or handlebar adjustments. Then it was time to pack up and eat.
Dinner is always arranged for around 7:30-8 o'clock, when the massages and bikes are all done. We all sit there as a team and have dinner, then the riders head to their rooms to relax while the staff stay back and drink some wine or beer til late, but 11 was late enough for me. As everyone made their way out of the hotel resturant[they kicked us out as they wanted to close] i made my way to the room when they piled into the teams motor home for more drinks, my flemish is'nt that great anyway. I switched on the tv to hear the song 'Bad to the Bone' to scene of cars being assembled on a factory line, and new straight away it was Stephen Kings movie CHRISTINE."UNREAL" i thought, until i realised it was a badly dubbed french channel. I watched it for a while anyway.
Race day morning Eddy and i were up at 7:30 to have breakfast and pump all those tyres. This race only has the one cobble section, the Kemmelberg, so the tyre pressure would be a little more today. We put in 7 bar in the front and 7.5 in the back, Nico took a bit less as usual. The lower preassure would give the riders more grip on the decent of the kemmel,as you'll read from the cyclingnews race report, there was lots of crashes on this decent. I loaded the race car and we soon made our way to the start.
There were people everywhere at this race, the team parking area was full of people wearing VIP passes. We drove our way through the crowd to park our convoy and set up. Once the bikes were out of the truck and on display for the crowd to look at, i could take it easy as all our work was done, so i stood there with my 4 and 5mm allenkeys ready for final tweaks taking in the atmosphere of the race. With some final tyre preassure adjustments requested and a front wheel change done for Jens as his race wheel had a slight wear on the sidewall, it was time to jump in the car and go to the start. From then on, not much happened.
Three riders escaped at the 50k mark and with not much wind around the bunch stayed together until the first time up the Kemmel. Cars are not allowed up the climb so we drive on to the village ahead where the race finishes the decent off the Kemmel. This is where i jump out of the car and stand on the sidelines with a pair of wheels and count our riders go flying past, though this time i had team owner Nick Collins with me to help me spot them out as he rode with us in the car for the day.
So the day finished up with no flats or crashes, which meant no wheels to work on, just to wash. All the boys got across the line, but a quiet day for me.

De Panne, its like working in a fridge

Well the racing continues. I've just returned from 3 days of De Panne, arriving back at the house at about 7pm and spending Good Friday washing bikes, wheels and some more wheels for the weekends racing. Myself and Eric have the long weekend off though.
I gave last weekends race a miss in order to get the TT bikes ready for De Panne and spent the last half of Sunday[after my long awaited ride] fittiing tyres to our new wheels. With the truck loaded we made our way to De Panne. The good thing about driving in Belgium is that just about everywhere you drive, there's a motorway to get there as long as you know your exits and the direction your going.You leave the house and follow the signs to Antwerp, then to Gent, then to Brugge until it finally has signs to De Panne. So when i mechanic with Chris, he always seems to do the driving, being a ex courier, i dont mind driving.
So we arrived at the hotel early in the arvo and started work on the bikes by making them race ready. We had some brake pads to change, frame numbers to fit, brakes and gears to check along with a couple of bikes to wash as they were not up my standards of clean. We had a really good work area at this hotel. After we backed the truck down the drive and nearly ripping off the exhaust cos it was that steep, we had a area at the back of the hotel's kitchen, which wasnt real good as we could smell the food cooking as we worked. The food was real good too.
Tuesday was stage 1, starting in a place called Middelkerke and heading south east to Zottegem for the 4 lap circuit. Whats known has local laps, the finish of a race will usally have a circuit to get the crowd in, something in which the old fart organisers of racing in Australia need to wake up to, more of a European scene, or even what they do in the States, do laps of a circuit in one town,race across to another town and do more laps. This way both towns people are happy,but most of their races are circuit races. Organisers in Australia are so far behind the rest of the world, which is a shame as there is some great talent and opportunities for some good racing, especially circuit racing if done correctly. Look at how far the Tour Down Under has come,and Adelaide deserves a big pat on the back for it. I reckon if your still running handicap racing[should be at club level only] then it should be out with the old and in with the new.
Anyway, not too much happened on stage 1 with our guys. Jens was involed in a crash but was ok, the bunch was rolling along, so he rejoined quickly after i untangled his chain and pushed him on his way, this was after we were called for a rear wheel by the commissaire. So i had the rear wheel in my hand ready when i serviced Jens, but when we got to Jeremey, it was actully a front wheel. The comm always calls our team but never says what for, so Eric and i were happy when they said something, only to be dissapointed when they got it wrong. I go out of the car with a rear only to run back and get a front, so we lose time and the rider has to go longer in the convoy before he's back in the bunch. Now we drew car position 2 on this stage which is pure luck, only the winners team from the previous year gets car 1, the rest are a lucky dip. So you want to make the most of your position.
The next day we decided i should stay at the hotel and finish the TT bikes. They were mostly built but needed to be set up for the riders and made UCI legal. By this i mean, the seat has to be no less than 5cm behind the center of the bottom bracket and the bar extensions no more than 75cm from the center of the bracket, or 80cm if your over 6ft. Now that might not sound like much work, but when you have to cut the extensions and cable everything up, its a lot of work on your own. Now De Panne is on the coast, so it was blowing a gale, and it was wind that cold it goes straight through you, wind so cold it would cut you in half as my dad would say. So i worked[mostly out of the wind] in the back of the truck preparing the bikes all day. Then Chris returned from the race with bikes to wash and check. Chris washed while i took care of the mechanics[he's a campag man anyway], so it was a long day on the tools.
Then we would eat before packing up for the night.
Thursday was the same. I stayed back and put the final touches on the TT bikes while Chris followed in the car. Then i had to see who was actully doing the time trial. Only the top 120 riders do it, so by the morning stage, Dan F, Rhys, Jens[our tt specialist]were already out. By the end of that stage Jeremey was out of the cut too. So only Nico,Bernie,Dan.L and Robby did the TT, Bernie just so he could say he finished the tour, cos he cant time trial to save himself.
So as usual, we pack up and head home as quickly as possible, until you hit a traffic jam. Now my truck was starting to over heat we were in it that long, so we got off and took the main back roads to get home.
As i mentioned, i spent Good Friday getting the truck and bikes ready to go to Mergelland in Holland. Then Sunday i have to do the same again for it to go to the race Rund un Koln. And in between all that i have 12 pairs of tubulars to get ready for Gent Wevelgem, so a weekend off but still work to be done, maybe i might sqeeze a ride or two in there i hope.

Cheers

Funky.

P.S. i will try and take more photo's and a bit more of other things around where i go while at races, but keep in mind that i am very busy.

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Sorry its been a while and i know i said i would try to update more often, but i just found enough time to write this one. Its been a very busy time, with most of our racing happening, bikes still to build and new wheels to get ready, i have very little spare time, but i know its coming soon.
The Nokere race was fairly uneventful for being a mechanic and the race we had in France was a little the same, not one puncture and with a large break up the road, there was not much chasing. The funny thing was Nico thought we had a guy up the road and realised we didnt until about 60k to go when Eric asked why they were'nt helping up front. The last 10km was on a circuit, so in order for the guys not to get pulled from the race, they hit the front helping other teams that missed the break and pulled the 4min gap back to 40sec by the time they hit the final 10k. Unfortunally, most of our guys popped then, but it was a awesome effort by the all. And not to leave out the amazing French countryside to look at.
After the race we packed up and made the 10 hour drive back to Booischot,arriving home at about 1am. That morning was a huge sleep in.
I had the rest of Monday to clean all the bikes and wheels as Tuesday we were, you guessed it, going to yet another race. This time it was the GP Waregem. Again in the Flanders region [where most of Belgium racing is] it was sure to be exciting, being a big race and all. As you might see in some of the photos the crowds at these spring classic races is huge, and its then that i realised that Belgians love thier cycling, after all, this is the capital of the sport.
The first 130k was on good roads [good for Belgium], then it was onto the cobbled roads that the Flanders are famous for. Roads one car wide and climbs that are short but steep, not to mention cobbled, and the crowds on these sections of what is known in Belgium as kasseien, were packed with people, and this was a week day. Every race you go to its the same. Every village, every corner, there's a crowd to watch the race go by. As a mechanic, you just sit there in the car looking at the amazing country side, the people on the roadside, waiting for something to happen. Then a crash, your team name is called out over the 2way, it was Jeremey, but he quickly got going again. After a little push and a pace back to the peleton, it was not long after he flatted. Then some km's later, a mechanic's nightmare, four guys crashing at once. They were all ok once they were going but it was impossible to take all four guys back, with Robby in pain we stuck with Dan Fleeman, but with the roads twisting and turning alot it was going to take awhile. But then the commisaire gave us the move on. With the cobbled sections just starting and climbs like the Pattersberg still to come, the day was over for them four. We finished the race with Nico and Dan Lloyd in the front group and Bernie and David in the chase group.
Since then we have had another race [E3 Prijs] which i sat out because i have had so much work to do at home with building TT bikes for the 3 days of De Panne, which we leave for on Monday [2/4/07]. So i've even ended up working on my birthday, and a Sunday too. But the day was made so much better by Lindsay organising with Gil for me to have some team gear and Sven lending me his bike to go for a ride with the boys, nice work Linds. I built up Gerts new race bike [he's still recovering from the bad crash at the Tour of Med] so Lindsay could come out as well, its the first lycra clad ride i've done since leaving Australia, man it was good to be back on the bike, and i plan for more rides as the work load outside races starts to ease up, so i can race the kermesses that are on so often here over summer.
So as i continue building race bikes, TT bikes, fitting tyres to our new deep dish Reynolds carbon clinchers and prepare for De Panne, the work still goes on, but now i can see the light at the end of the tunnel. So i will give you a report on how the 3 days went for myself and the team at the end of the week.
Till then keep riding.
Funky.