Is the wind over 100km per hour? And, is the rain horizontal, torrential, and non-stop? Then it must be time for the first races of the Belgian season. The Second pro race in Belgium, Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, was well documented for all its bad weather. But the start of the Amateur season less well so. It’s a good thing tears do not show through the pouring rain because I was so, so cold, I’m sure there were some.

The race was supposed to be 150km long but the powers that be decided that to be silly, and shorten the even by 20km. I wish they shortened the event by 150km really. I had 2 crashes. So, new bike, 1 race, 2 crashes is not the best stat to start the season with. First crash, I was just going down the outside of the bunch and someone cut me off, and the only way I was left with (as breaking was not an option, because I had none left) was straight over a small garden hedge and across a front garden on my belly. Like breaststroke, but on land. Second was on the main road part of the course. A direct side wind, at 100km section. I got picked up and dumped on the side of the road. Thanks wind. A 20min chase and I was back on. I never want to race in those conditions ever, ever again. It’s not bike racing when it’s like that.

*This is a picture of what the storm did to France, just over the border, where it killed 47 people*

The Next race is the Vlaamse Pijl. The course goes over some of the Famous climbs in Belgium. Most notably, the Oude Kwaremont, and the Patersberg. They are horrible, small roads with the surface made of cobbles. It rains – we crash. So goes without saying I want sun.  I was nice doing the team training over them yesterday so I refresh them in my mind for the race. This is a picture of the sun ibecause I have forgotten what it looks like.

*This picture is from where I was in December- Lanzarote. I wish the weather in Belgium was that of there. I miss it!*

Matt