not a good start

Its been a while since my last post i know, for one i was on holiday for the most of January, secondly, there has been some things going on here that i couldnt really write about until i myself knew what was happening. I have changed the layout of my blog as i said i would, sadly there is no team riders or sponsors listed as there is no team.

Last post i was home in Oz, it was great to get some sun, get some racing in and catch up with family and friends. It was a very quick 3 weeks for Linds and i [sorry i didnt get to Port Fairy Turkey], but by the end we were ready to go back to our lives in Europe.

On our return, Linds was basicly straight back to work, whereas my job was a little unsure of. As its been reported, our new team which was to be called Pedaltech-cyclingnews-Jako, did not get its Pro conti licence from the UCI. In the event of this we were sure to lose some riders and sponsors. Everyone was stunned at why we didnt get the licence, but things had to move on and the plan was to reorganise everything and apply for our contiental licence which Gil and Rudi were happy to go ahead with. From this the team was to lose a couple of key riders and Museeuw as our bike sponsor, everyone else was keen to go on as a conti team. Then there was problems with our main sponsor Pedaltech who eventully had to withdrawl for personal reasons. The season just went from bad to worse.

So on my return to Belgium there was no team, and work was looking grim, but Gil and Rudi were in talks to form another conti team. So far they have had about 3 or 4 options but still to this day there is no team in place. For me it has being just a waiting game to see what Gil and Rudi can come up with, they have both being working around the clock to get something in place but i think options are running out. So at this point i need to start thinking about what i am going to do for the season. With the chance of a conti team looking slim they will form an amature team in which i can ride for, but this will not pay the bills. So my plan is to freelance some work out to other teams that may need a hand or to get a normal 9 to 5 job. With a quiet season looking possible, i might get to do some good racing this year, which is the one thing i miss the most, but i would be happier knowing i had regular work.

Next month i move over the boarder into Holland in which i am soon to be a resident of, after applying for last week. This will be easier for Linds to travel to work as i have to travel alot anyway as part of the job. We're moving into Eindhoven for 3 months, then we will find our own place on the out skirts somewhere, near where Lindsay works so she can commute by bike. Atleast with my Holland residency [when its approved] i have the chance to get a normal job if the freelance thing doesnt work. I would really like to keep working for teams as i eventully [which is what the dream is] want to mechanic for a pro tour team. Gil has lined up a conti team for me that said they will use me when they need the extra help has they have a double program. So i guess that is a good start, i will just have to use some other contacts to get some more work and hope something comes up. Hopefully in the next few weeks things will improve on the work front in which i will fill you in on what it has being like, as i've never really being jobless before. I've being working fulltime since i was 16 and never being without a job in all that time, so now not being able to work on bikes fulltime has been somewhat hard to deal with.

I guess this is what everyone in this industry faces when the team their in is coming to an end, and this year there was more riders and staff than ever wondering their future. Its the risk that is taken when you may have solid work for 3 years or a year, but then what, and for team mechanics its really who you know as it is hard to get your foot in the door. This is all part of the job, i just didnt think it would happen to me so soon after busting my ass off last season.

Chin up hey.

Funky