Won my first race of the Season in Belgium yesterday at a kermesse in Aartselaar. it was a windy 118km and snuck away solo in the last 5km and won solo so pretty happy! Form is good and now to build off this victory.
Racing an Interclub tomorrow in Belsele which I am looking forward to then another interclub in the ardennes on sunday, followed by a 1.2 with the NZ team on the 26th of June IWT Oetingen.
Monday, 10 June 2013
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
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New Year in Belgium
Has been a while since my last post so thought i'd keep you up to date with what I have been up to..
Year started off up and down with breaking my collarbone in late Jan which shut my chances of the track down for the year, but since then things have been on the up!
I manage to get a ride on a Belgium team for the season with 'Royal Antwerp Bicycle Club'. I Left NZ on the 6th of May after a great summer of relaxing and racing in NZ. Since getting here I have raced 3 kermesses, 2 interclubs and a 1.2 GP Van Coningsloo with the national team. The form is good and definitely on the up along with the confidence which is good. Managed to get a start with the National team at a 1.2 last Sunday. Was a fun race riding along side my mates and Michael Vink won it so everyone was buzzing. I was in the front split and came in 41st after leading a fellow kiwi out for the bunch sprint. A few celebratory beers in the square in Oudenaarde then back to work.
I have a few Interclubs coming up on the 11th, 16th and 18th so that will be a solid block of racing and looking forward to it!
Living in Heide, Kalmthout with a team mate in a 2 bedroom apartment which is a pretty sweet set up. His Dad takes me out behind the Scooter motorpacing up in Holland as I am only living 5km from the dutch border, which is ideal.
Summer has finally hit Belgium and it's nothing but blue skies today and hopefully this week so will make the most of the sunshine and get some good training in.
The National team was happy with my performance at Van Coningsloo so hopefully some more racing with them is on the horizon.
Cheers
Fraser
Year started off up and down with breaking my collarbone in late Jan which shut my chances of the track down for the year, but since then things have been on the up!
I manage to get a ride on a Belgium team for the season with 'Royal Antwerp Bicycle Club'. I Left NZ on the 6th of May after a great summer of relaxing and racing in NZ. Since getting here I have raced 3 kermesses, 2 interclubs and a 1.2 GP Van Coningsloo with the national team. The form is good and definitely on the up along with the confidence which is good. Managed to get a start with the National team at a 1.2 last Sunday. Was a fun race riding along side my mates and Michael Vink won it so everyone was buzzing. I was in the front split and came in 41st after leading a fellow kiwi out for the bunch sprint. A few celebratory beers in the square in Oudenaarde then back to work.
I have a few Interclubs coming up on the 11th, 16th and 18th so that will be a solid block of racing and looking forward to it!
Living in Heide, Kalmthout with a team mate in a 2 bedroom apartment which is a pretty sweet set up. His Dad takes me out behind the Scooter motorpacing up in Holland as I am only living 5km from the dutch border, which is ideal.
Summer has finally hit Belgium and it's nothing but blue skies today and hopefully this week so will make the most of the sunshine and get some good training in.
The National team was happy with my performance at Van Coningsloo so hopefully some more racing with them is on the horizon.
Cheers
Fraser
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
Last month in Belgium
I am now in my final month here in Belgium and slowly starting to throw things in my suitcase. After being pretty flat for a while (most of the season) I decided to have a week off last week to freshen up. It's the first real break I have had all season apart from sickness so it was well over due. Not too sure on the race program coming up as it is being emailed through later this week but looking forward to the next race on Thursday in Geetbets which is 140km and has a lot of prize money so keen to get in the mix.
Just threw in a few random photos. Will try and find more and put them up..
Cheers
Fraser
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| Pro Kermesse in West Flanders mixing it up |
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| Ronde van Vlaams-Brabant time trial |
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| Top Competition Teams time trial champs |
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| Ronde van Vlaams-Brabant last stage |
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| TTT champs with team car following |
Monday, 6 August 2012
Tour of Vlaams Brabant
Last week I finished the Vlaams Brabant tour which was based close to where I am staying and was 5 stages over 5 days. The stages were around 130-140km with a 9.4km time trial on the 3rd day. Going into the tour I was feeling pretty tired the week out but after backing off the training to a few recovery days the week before the race started the legs and body freshened up.
The first stage was pretty flat apart from a few short sharp bergs so it came down to a mass sprint for the stage honors. The team formed a lead out train for our sprinter Jelle who ended up 6th. The next day was quite heavy with constant rolling climbs and 30 degree temperatures. After I missed the split that happened at 50km to go I hit it across the 30s gap with another guy and managed to successfully make it to the front group. From there I kept following the attacks and splits and hovered round the front of the group of 50 or so. I ended up a minute down after a hard day out but luckily I made it across to the front group as the bunch I was in lost 5mins+.
The next day was the time trial. After a spin down the canal where we were staying in Leuven I was happy with how the legs were, and looking forward to the TT that afternoon. The course was pretty technical with lots of corners and a hair pin turn to negotiate. And after riding a lap when we arrived I was confident I had the legs to go good. I went off just before the rain came but with that the wind had picked up. So I went out fast and held my speed steady for the 6km or so then with 3km to go I was on the last 2 straights before the finish and had a dirty block head wind which made me creep home! I lost a lot of time in the last 3 km and ended up out of the top 20.. which was a terrible result. 20mins earlier would've been ideal as it was sunny and no wind! Belgium weather..(excuses, excuses)
The next day was another flat circuit with the same climbs we went up on the first day. I was feeling pretty good and when we reached the finishing circuits I headed to the front the stay out of trouble and It actually makes it a lot easier. The final lap came round and I was holding it in a top ten position. With the pace being so high and the bunch stretched out it was good to be at the front for the corners and especially as it was wet. The last corner came round and everyone threw themselves at it as it was 250m to the line from there. I'm not the fastest sprinter so came in 24th.
The last day of the tour came around and the temperature had dropped slightly to 25 degrees. I was feeling ok but as it was dead flat i knew it was going to be a bunch kick of a sneaky late move that would win it. The last lap came round and I was sitting in the top 30 or so guy looking to move up the outside with 3km to go. I saw a gap and hit it through but as soon as I did that I got chopped off into the grass at 50km/h and just held it up after hitting the curb. I rolled to the line in the bunch and saw that my front carbon wheel had cracked after my little off-road experience. Damn...
I ended the tour 25th on general classification and 9th in (u23) young rider classification. It was ok but under performed.
Now I am just doing a 2 or 3 kermesses a week and as we don't have a car at the house i am at now we have to ride to them. I ended up doing 200km last Saturday then 150km on the Sunday. Getting 36th then 14th. Legs have come up good after this tour so looking to build on that form and get a win in the last 2 months that I am here in Belgium.
Thanks for reading. I will put some photos up soon.
Fraser
The first stage was pretty flat apart from a few short sharp bergs so it came down to a mass sprint for the stage honors. The team formed a lead out train for our sprinter Jelle who ended up 6th. The next day was quite heavy with constant rolling climbs and 30 degree temperatures. After I missed the split that happened at 50km to go I hit it across the 30s gap with another guy and managed to successfully make it to the front group. From there I kept following the attacks and splits and hovered round the front of the group of 50 or so. I ended up a minute down after a hard day out but luckily I made it across to the front group as the bunch I was in lost 5mins+.
The next day was the time trial. After a spin down the canal where we were staying in Leuven I was happy with how the legs were, and looking forward to the TT that afternoon. The course was pretty technical with lots of corners and a hair pin turn to negotiate. And after riding a lap when we arrived I was confident I had the legs to go good. I went off just before the rain came but with that the wind had picked up. So I went out fast and held my speed steady for the 6km or so then with 3km to go I was on the last 2 straights before the finish and had a dirty block head wind which made me creep home! I lost a lot of time in the last 3 km and ended up out of the top 20.. which was a terrible result. 20mins earlier would've been ideal as it was sunny and no wind! Belgium weather..(excuses, excuses)
The next day was another flat circuit with the same climbs we went up on the first day. I was feeling pretty good and when we reached the finishing circuits I headed to the front the stay out of trouble and It actually makes it a lot easier. The final lap came round and I was holding it in a top ten position. With the pace being so high and the bunch stretched out it was good to be at the front for the corners and especially as it was wet. The last corner came round and everyone threw themselves at it as it was 250m to the line from there. I'm not the fastest sprinter so came in 24th.
The last day of the tour came around and the temperature had dropped slightly to 25 degrees. I was feeling ok but as it was dead flat i knew it was going to be a bunch kick of a sneaky late move that would win it. The last lap came round and I was sitting in the top 30 or so guy looking to move up the outside with 3km to go. I saw a gap and hit it through but as soon as I did that I got chopped off into the grass at 50km/h and just held it up after hitting the curb. I rolled to the line in the bunch and saw that my front carbon wheel had cracked after my little off-road experience. Damn...
I ended the tour 25th on general classification and 9th in (u23) young rider classification. It was ok but under performed.
Now I am just doing a 2 or 3 kermesses a week and as we don't have a car at the house i am at now we have to ride to them. I ended up doing 200km last Saturday then 150km on the Sunday. Getting 36th then 14th. Legs have come up good after this tour so looking to build on that form and get a win in the last 2 months that I am here in Belgium.
Thanks for reading. I will put some photos up soon.
Fraser
Thursday, 28 June 2012
Racing
Hi just a wee update on what I've been up to..
I had a top competition UCI 1.2 yesterday the IWT Otengin which went up some of the famous climbs of the tour of Flanders and also along some of the course. Was a hard day out with high temperatures, wind, and lots of cobbles. Made it too the finishing circuits then ran out of steam with 30km to go. Felt good but probably should've eaten and drank a bit more as it was caught up to me in the heat. The week before that I had another 1.2 Fleche ardenaais. Really full on race with over 3000 vertical meters of climbing over the famous Liege Bastogne Liege climbs. Didn't really suite me but it was a good experience. Also pretty cool how Fellow kiwi and friend Jeremy Yates was a past winner. Tough guy! After Fleche Ardenaais I had an Interclub in Belsele. This is just with the Amateur teams. I was feeling strong all day and after not covering the only break I didn't go with I finished 18th. Lesson learnt but that is racing. It was a miserable day out with thunder storms and constant rain. The performance was a lot better then the result however it would've been nice to break at least a top 10.
On Saturday I have another UCI 1.2 the Omloop het neiwsblad. 180km with 18 'difficulties', being cobbles or climbs. Looking forward to it..
Have been training pretty hard so not hitting these races too fresh but still getting amongst it.
Time Trial bike from NZ arrived! which I am very happy about! Took it out for a spin today and already feel good on it. So will be campaigning to get a worlds TT spot over the coming few months.
Have a pretty tough and busy race calender coming up with the Omloop het neiwsblad on Saturday followed by an interclub on Monday then the Tour of Liege early July followed by the Tour of Vlaams Brabant that also has a time trial as one of the stages so I will be targeting that..
These UCI 1.2 races are pretty full gas and it's good to race the top amateur riders in Belgium along with some of the Pro teams. Learning a lot and becoming a better and smarter bike rider after everyone.
So now I am just training and racing and recovering. Standard lifestyle for a cyclist. Hanging out for summer in Belg and catching up with kiwi friends who are over here in there Olympic build up. Still haven't cracked mentally after being here for almost 5 and a half months :-)
Have become pretty domesticated around the house also, laundry, dishes cooking and fending for myself. Also managing to keep the room tidy, tough life.. ha ha
will put some pictures up sometime soon
Cheers
Fraser
I had a top competition UCI 1.2 yesterday the IWT Otengin which went up some of the famous climbs of the tour of Flanders and also along some of the course. Was a hard day out with high temperatures, wind, and lots of cobbles. Made it too the finishing circuits then ran out of steam with 30km to go. Felt good but probably should've eaten and drank a bit more as it was caught up to me in the heat. The week before that I had another 1.2 Fleche ardenaais. Really full on race with over 3000 vertical meters of climbing over the famous Liege Bastogne Liege climbs. Didn't really suite me but it was a good experience. Also pretty cool how Fellow kiwi and friend Jeremy Yates was a past winner. Tough guy! After Fleche Ardenaais I had an Interclub in Belsele. This is just with the Amateur teams. I was feeling strong all day and after not covering the only break I didn't go with I finished 18th. Lesson learnt but that is racing. It was a miserable day out with thunder storms and constant rain. The performance was a lot better then the result however it would've been nice to break at least a top 10.
On Saturday I have another UCI 1.2 the Omloop het neiwsblad. 180km with 18 'difficulties', being cobbles or climbs. Looking forward to it..
Have been training pretty hard so not hitting these races too fresh but still getting amongst it.
Time Trial bike from NZ arrived! which I am very happy about! Took it out for a spin today and already feel good on it. So will be campaigning to get a worlds TT spot over the coming few months.
Have a pretty tough and busy race calender coming up with the Omloop het neiwsblad on Saturday followed by an interclub on Monday then the Tour of Liege early July followed by the Tour of Vlaams Brabant that also has a time trial as one of the stages so I will be targeting that..
These UCI 1.2 races are pretty full gas and it's good to race the top amateur riders in Belgium along with some of the Pro teams. Learning a lot and becoming a better and smarter bike rider after everyone.
So now I am just training and racing and recovering. Standard lifestyle for a cyclist. Hanging out for summer in Belg and catching up with kiwi friends who are over here in there Olympic build up. Still haven't cracked mentally after being here for almost 5 and a half months :-)
Have become pretty domesticated around the house also, laundry, dishes cooking and fending for myself. Also managing to keep the room tidy, tough life.. ha ha
will put some pictures up sometime soon
Cheers
Fraser
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Belgian Blues
Hi It's been a while since my last update and since then I have had a few ups and downs. I had a top competion 1.2 one day race which was 180km then the next week a 3 day tour down in the Ardennes called tryptique ardennais. I had terrible legs for the 1.2 so just battled in the bunch. The next weekend was a tough stage race down in the Ardennes with hard fast climbs and brutal stages. I went into this tour with the hopes just to finish as I had been pretty flat leading up to it. However I started to feel better as it went on so I was happy. Even tho I was still chewing my handlebars at the back of the bunch!
It was also good to be racing with lots of other kiwis down there. 10 of us in total with 6 being part of the national team including my cousin Wes, which made the race more enjoyable seeing all those guys again. It was also won by a kiwi Tom David which was awesome!
After the tour I rode easy for a few days then got hit with the flu again! I think it was from the first stage of tryptique where it was raining and cold. Guttered... I tried to heal myself but it just lingered for a week so I went off to the doctors for some meds. Had about 10 days off but it was a good chance to freshen up and recover before the second part of the season.
So I got back into racing last weekend with a kermesse about 20km away in Ramsel. It was a bit of a mission and 5 mins before the start I saw my tyre had lost some air so I had a slow leak and 2 bottles to get me through 120km on a 32 degree day.. Recipe for disaster and it was. Was feeling fit until I started getting a headache from no water. Pro's and con's.. haha. Oh well this week is a new week and with some carbon race wheels finally on there way to Belgium I'm gunning for some results in the next few months so will be going full gas..
Haven't been up to much else. Had 2 days away at Euro Disney in Paris with the host family which was fun. I have never been a roller coaster guy until now.. hooked.
Cheers for reading
Fraser
It was also good to be racing with lots of other kiwis down there. 10 of us in total with 6 being part of the national team including my cousin Wes, which made the race more enjoyable seeing all those guys again. It was also won by a kiwi Tom David which was awesome!
After the tour I rode easy for a few days then got hit with the flu again! I think it was from the first stage of tryptique where it was raining and cold. Guttered... I tried to heal myself but it just lingered for a week so I went off to the doctors for some meds. Had about 10 days off but it was a good chance to freshen up and recover before the second part of the season.
So I got back into racing last weekend with a kermesse about 20km away in Ramsel. It was a bit of a mission and 5 mins before the start I saw my tyre had lost some air so I had a slow leak and 2 bottles to get me through 120km on a 32 degree day.. Recipe for disaster and it was. Was feeling fit until I started getting a headache from no water. Pro's and con's.. haha. Oh well this week is a new week and with some carbon race wheels finally on there way to Belgium I'm gunning for some results in the next few months so will be going full gas..
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| Madness |
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| Another roller coaster, cool set thing |
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| (Just to prove I'm alive)Poker face before aerosmith roller coaster.. Not even nervous.. |
Cheers for reading
Fraser
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