I think it is fair to say I have had a rocky start to life over here in Belgium. Hopefully things will start to go my way soon. From being caught up in crashes to mechanicals, illness and injury I have had just about everything go wrong that could.
Over the past week I have reflected on life so far over here and all it has done is make me more determined to succeed. I know I’m getting stronger and stronger with every race, I’m learning and also getting smarter. There is a plan in place for the remainder of the year with some re-evaluated goals. Every day I’m improving and becoming equally more stubborn to not get knocked down.
It is really tough over here, I am sure that most people who would have experienced my first 7 weeks over here would contemplate leaving but it hasn’t even passed my mind. It’s a challenge and I will do my best not to fail, which I’m sure will be enough to succeed. It’s important to stay positive out here, I think we all know I can be my own worst enemy when it comes to being disappointed about a race. Luckily I have gained some patience and I have some really decent people around me who are all working through the same processes each day. I have now also joined up with Matt Bottrill who will be coaching me for the foreseeable future so I’m in safe hands. I have already come on leaps and bounds so we will see what we can do.
Nutrition wise I think I have got myself sorted, MYPROTEIN Whey Protein shakes after each ride and controlled fat and sugar intake has allowed me to develop into a noticeably new shape. I have understandably gained weight. I’m not Calorie counting or trying to lose weight I’m just being smart about what and when I eat. Regular smaller meals have allowed this. I am also taking a few essential supplements.
My race day fuel has now been the same for every race, Weatabix, Pasta and Tomato Ketchup – Not together obviously. During the Race I use MYPROTEIN ENER:GEL + Caffeine which I find settles pretty well.
Last weekend I raced my first inter club which was hands down the hardest thing I have ever done. I didn’t feel like I had the best legs going into the race however, to begin with I rode a good race. Always near the front until I lapsed in concentration and found myself in the middle/back of the peloton. Unfortunately there were crashes right in front of me putting me in some difficulty into the cross wind section and away from the peloton. Luckily I managed to latch back on, but this meant I was ill placed coming into the next climb. In the next climb I managed to hold my own, with the bunch still lined out. Then over the cobbled sector I fell back a little as it requires a lot of energy to ride the cobbles well. Then we hit the next climb, it was pretty steep and by now I was really struggling, people were dropping like flies and just near the summit the group accelerated but I couldn’t find anything to answer. I then fell back into the cars, it was a little dangerous to ride in the cars as the roads were still really cobble like. After nearly crashing at approximately 60km/h I got a bit of a shock! I managed to catch the cars again on the cobbled climb – never giving up, only to be blown out the back again due to constantly being on the rivet. I then was lost for good, my team car couldn’t tow me because of the surface and I just had my head down and focused on trying to beat the broom wagon. Unfortunately I was caught by the broom wagon a mere 10km from the finishing circuit which was really disappointing. I had dug deep all day but nothing prevailed. This meant I was unable to continue to the next day. If I am being honest, that was pretty lucky as I was struggling to ride at 32km/h the next day. I had given everything. The field was top quality as it was a Belgian National cup race I think there were 9 continental teams 2 world tour development squads and 14 top Belgian teams. Not that this made any difference but it at least means I will get another shot at this race one day. The field was top quality as it was a Belgian National cup race.
I then raced yesterday, it was a really hilly course and 120km race. I rode 23km there and back also. I tried to go in the first few laps but nothing was sticking. I then nearly blew after 30km from doing these efforts and found myself at the back of the bunch. I recuperated within 5 km and got myself into a more aggressive position. Unfortunately I missed a move with 40km to go which left me mid bunch. The race was then lined out for the remainder of the race leaving it near impossible to move up. Using a few sneaky tricks I managed to gain around 40 wheels but actually getting in the top 20 riders was tough. There was a break of 20 away which included a team mate so I could not chase. I wouldn’t be surprised if we climbed 2000 meters in that race possibly more. Coming to the bunch sprint I struggled to find a decent wheel and got boxed in so I rolled across the line in 74th. Before Gavershreek I also raced in Evergem and finished 57th/122 riders
It’s all work in progress!
Not giving in.
Ben
Over the past week I have reflected on life so far over here and all it has done is make me more determined to succeed. I know I’m getting stronger and stronger with every race, I’m learning and also getting smarter. There is a plan in place for the remainder of the year with some re-evaluated goals. Every day I’m improving and becoming equally more stubborn to not get knocked down.
It is really tough over here, I am sure that most people who would have experienced my first 7 weeks over here would contemplate leaving but it hasn’t even passed my mind. It’s a challenge and I will do my best not to fail, which I’m sure will be enough to succeed. It’s important to stay positive out here, I think we all know I can be my own worst enemy when it comes to being disappointed about a race. Luckily I have gained some patience and I have some really decent people around me who are all working through the same processes each day. I have now also joined up with Matt Bottrill who will be coaching me for the foreseeable future so I’m in safe hands. I have already come on leaps and bounds so we will see what we can do.
Nutrition wise I think I have got myself sorted, MYPROTEIN Whey Protein shakes after each ride and controlled fat and sugar intake has allowed me to develop into a noticeably new shape. I have understandably gained weight. I’m not Calorie counting or trying to lose weight I’m just being smart about what and when I eat. Regular smaller meals have allowed this. I am also taking a few essential supplements.
My race day fuel has now been the same for every race, Weatabix, Pasta and Tomato Ketchup – Not together obviously. During the Race I use MYPROTEIN ENER:GEL + Caffeine which I find settles pretty well.
Last weekend I raced my first inter club which was hands down the hardest thing I have ever done. I didn’t feel like I had the best legs going into the race however, to begin with I rode a good race. Always near the front until I lapsed in concentration and found myself in the middle/back of the peloton. Unfortunately there were crashes right in front of me putting me in some difficulty into the cross wind section and away from the peloton. Luckily I managed to latch back on, but this meant I was ill placed coming into the next climb. In the next climb I managed to hold my own, with the bunch still lined out. Then over the cobbled sector I fell back a little as it requires a lot of energy to ride the cobbles well. Then we hit the next climb, it was pretty steep and by now I was really struggling, people were dropping like flies and just near the summit the group accelerated but I couldn’t find anything to answer. I then fell back into the cars, it was a little dangerous to ride in the cars as the roads were still really cobble like. After nearly crashing at approximately 60km/h I got a bit of a shock! I managed to catch the cars again on the cobbled climb – never giving up, only to be blown out the back again due to constantly being on the rivet. I then was lost for good, my team car couldn’t tow me because of the surface and I just had my head down and focused on trying to beat the broom wagon. Unfortunately I was caught by the broom wagon a mere 10km from the finishing circuit which was really disappointing. I had dug deep all day but nothing prevailed. This meant I was unable to continue to the next day. If I am being honest, that was pretty lucky as I was struggling to ride at 32km/h the next day. I had given everything. The field was top quality as it was a Belgian National cup race I think there were 9 continental teams 2 world tour development squads and 14 top Belgian teams. Not that this made any difference but it at least means I will get another shot at this race one day. The field was top quality as it was a Belgian National cup race.
I then raced yesterday, it was a really hilly course and 120km race. I rode 23km there and back also. I tried to go in the first few laps but nothing was sticking. I then nearly blew after 30km from doing these efforts and found myself at the back of the bunch. I recuperated within 5 km and got myself into a more aggressive position. Unfortunately I missed a move with 40km to go which left me mid bunch. The race was then lined out for the remainder of the race leaving it near impossible to move up. Using a few sneaky tricks I managed to gain around 40 wheels but actually getting in the top 20 riders was tough. There was a break of 20 away which included a team mate so I could not chase. I wouldn’t be surprised if we climbed 2000 meters in that race possibly more. Coming to the bunch sprint I struggled to find a decent wheel and got boxed in so I rolled across the line in 74th. Before Gavershreek I also raced in Evergem and finished 57th/122 riders
It’s all work in progress!
Not giving in.
Ben