Blogs
Sat, 29 May 2010
Winning and training in Belgium
By Dani King - Horizon Fitness Racing Team
I've been in Belgium for 10 days now, and had a great time! My first race was a 60k crit. The morning of the race, I went out for a ride with loads of Belgian guys along the canal near Oudennaard, which was good as I'd travelled all day the day before.
I felt pretty good, so well up for the race. It started really fast, and during the race, 2 girls got away, including Grace Verbeke (winner of the 2010 Tour of Flanders). I was gutted to miss the winning move, but each lap I just focused on how to win the bunch sprint.
It was a 90 degree left-hander before about 300m straight into the finish. I lead it round the bend and managed to get second in the bunch sprint. That gave me 4th in my first race, so I was pleased and excited for the next race, which was the day after.
The following day was a 90k kermesse in Le Bizet, Belgium. It was pretty hilly for Belgium, but I felt really good so was up for the win! The race was consistantly quite fast.
4 girls got away and had a gap of 2 minutes at one point. I attacked with 2 laps to go, but got chased down quickly. We caught the girls with about 3/4 of a lap to go. With about 1k to the finish, there was a climb and I knew if I was near the front I could win the race. I led it all the way up so I didn't get into any trouble and waited for someone to go. When I saw Kelly Dyuts go, I knew I had to respond. I just put my head down and no-one passed me! It was a great feeling winning in Belgium!
They gave me a massive trophy, which I could hardly pick up! I was so pleased to win because my coach Courtney Rowe has been giving me loads of training lately, so it's obviously all paying off.
The next day I was off. I was staying with Bryan Taylor and his crew, so we had an easy ride and chilled out all day.
On Monday, we travelled to De Pinte for my next race. When I got on the bike to warm up I felt really good, so was excited about getting another good result. The race panned out perfectly. I got in a break of 9 which included Grace Verbeke, so I knew it could be strong enough to stay away. We all worked well together and stayed away for the final 3 laps of the 10km loop. I knew if I led it round the last corner into the finish I could win... so I did... then the next thing I knew, I was on the floor!
DISASTER! I was gutted! I don't really know what happened because it all happened so quickly; all I remember is thinking I had to get up quick so the bunch didn't catch me. I ended up 7th, 21 seconds behind the winner. I was so, so gutted because I think it could have been my 2nd win in 3 days! After talking with my dad, Courtney (my coach), Stef and Matt, my boyfriend, I started to think positively about the situation... I know I've got really good form, so to keep training hard and more good results will come.
I'm staying in Tielt Winge now with 2 Kiwi girls who are dead nice, Hannah Rich, and Annie Simpson. We've just got back off a training ride where we didn't have much luck. Toby Meadows came out with us and his chain snapped... we had to push him for about 4km! Then Rachel punctured! Not good!
Anyway, I'm starving so need to get some food. Me, Hannah and Annie are travelling to Holland tomorrow for a race on Sunday! I can't wait... Hopefully we'll do well...
BRING IT ON!
For more information about the Horizon Fitness Racing Team, visit www.onthedrops.com.