4th and 5th August in Belgium for Kermesses

 Zondegem 4th August -

 I decided to head over to Belgium for a few weeks with Jez.  My team are taking a few weeks break before starting some more races in late August.  We decided to go camping for a few days before heading off to our friends house Freddy who lives near Gent in Belgium.  Unluckily for us his house was full with other riders so we had to stay in his caravan!  I don't mind roughing it but after camping for 5 days I needed some luxury! after a few days it was clear we where not coping to well with the conditions!! I had about 20 mosquito bits on me and spent most of the time killing the little creatures instead of sleeping!! I can definitely say that it was the worst few weeks of my life and I have never felt so tired !! Jez also caught a nasty cold and had to miss his Power Man race! and he lost our Car key whilst riding around the Tour of Flanders course and we had to pay £160 for a new key and to move the car!!!  Anyway back to the races!

My first race was in Zondegem which was not too far from the campsite!! The weather was nice and hot and the wind was steady.  The circuit was a little rolling in places.  The lotto team arrived with 10 girls so it was clear that I had to get away with a Lotto girl at least!   The race started with lots of attacks from Lotto and lots of chasing from me and attempts to get away.   The one move I did not chase (as I was catching my breath from the last chase!) was the winning break with a Lotto girl and 2 other local riders.   Myself and a few others tried to get across but the Lotto girls did there job well and marked everything  so the last few laps where hectic with a few more attempts to get away coming to nothing.  I decided to sit tight for the sprint.   The sprint was up a hill but you had to get around the first bend in a good position to get a good shot at it.  I did not position myself very well and started too far back and finished 12th. Now back to the campsite for some quality sleep and cooked marshmallows!! LOL

Zingem 5th August -

I decided not to look in the mirror this morning to see how rough I was looking instead Jez told me!  Anyway another lovely sunny day in Belgium perfect for a kermesse.  After many unsuccessful attempts at getting away yesterday I decided today to keep trying until I got away alone or in a break at least! Today's circuit was small and fast with a rise up to the finish and some head wind on the back section.  The wind helped get the break away today thankfully also allot of attacks by me, AADrink and Global Nicky Harris.   We had a break of around 9 girls and stayed away but not at any great speed.   I wanted to get away by myself so I attacked nearer the end but they chased me back and the last lap was cat and mouse as most of the girls in the break where sprinters! I started my sprint early as my legs felt good and the sprint was slightly uphill.  I was leading until about 100 metres to go and I got cramp in my right hamstring but tried my hardest to keep the power going to the line but I got piped and came 4th with Lotto coming 1st.        My next race is the Holland Hills Classic where I will be guest riding for a Dutch team.  But for now I need to get out of this tent and get some sleep!!

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