Racing in the heat

Well, nothing ever goes to plan! After a long drive to the South of Belgium in the sweltering heat with no air conditioning in the car, I managed 500m before I got a puncture. I had to wait until the race ended because riders who are chosen for drug testing are anounced after the finish. I decided to cycle to Namur and check out the cobbled climb up to the Citadel. So, it wasn't a wasted journey!

 

Yesterday,  was 37 degrees and I had to race!  The atmoshere in Kontich was wonderful with their town fair taking place. There was a big crowd and a lovely 9.2km circuit with cobbles, flowerpots in the middle of the road, uneven roads and stones on the corners. Typical Belgium racing. There were 118 on the start line as it was the only race of the weekend for women. I got my spot in the first row- I am becoming a professional at doing so but we needed to wait in the blazing sun for 15 mins at the start because the police had to do their job and close the main road. All racing is on a closed circuit which is just as well with some of the road furniture. We set off late but with a bang. From the start it was a case of holding the wheel in front or you would be pinged out the back. Half of the peleton were stopped as they were off the back by a large margin. I felt like I had my legs back and I was able to get across to a break with the Belgian National Champion with a few GB riders on my wheel. But each time this happened, the peleton came on my wheel. I know I should have attacked but my feeder didn't get any bottles to me as there were too many riders being fed by him so it just didn't happen. It was a question of waiting for the sprint  but coming out of the last corner, a rider tried to get by me in a non-existent space and her bike attached to mine. I didn't panic- nor she and we managed to detatch the bikes. But alas, it was in the last 100m and I wasn't able to move up anyt places. I was dissapointed but managed to get 14th. Liesbet De Vocht (Belgian National Champion) won the sprint.

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My next race is on Wednesday and should be a little cooler if the weather forecast is to be believed