“I’m in the Mecca of cycling; just landed into the kermesse school of hard knocks”
McCarthy is part of the Ireland development set-up and has gone to Belgium to further his trade
With the Leaving Cert out of the way, Fermoy’s Irish international Eoin McCarthy is back in Belgium with the ASFRA-Flanders Racing Team. He’s looking to race hard and learn fast as he throws himself into the life of a full-time bike rider. In this dispatch he gives us a flavour of life in the famous Flanders region as he gears up to get going.
I’ve finally arrived in Belgium – Hof ter Kammen, Leupegem, Oost-Vlaanderen to be exact. Where I live is a mere 1km from the infamous Koppenberg and roughly 2km from Oudenaarde; the new finish of the Ronde Van Vlaanderen and the Ronde’s museum. So I am in the epicentre of what some people might call “The Mecca” of bike racing!
Although all is well here I’m not in perfect condition myself. A week before the Nationals I finished my exams and went straight into a hard training block to try and limit my losses in Clonmel and to help set me up for a bashing here. But after a few days I picked up an injury. I could feel a little niggle on my left knee and ignored it for another few days but, after a terrible Nationals TT where the pain was excruciating, I went to a specialist and turns out I had tendonitis.
I have been resting for a week and a half now and am making progress but I’m guessing I won’t be racing for another three weeks or so – just to be safe. Looking at some of my friends and people I know, and listening to my coach, if an injury isn’t treated with respect you can turn a fortnight’s disruption into a year-long problem. I have looked at all of the things which could have caused it and have them all nailed down so hopefully I will be up and running again in no time!
After this injury is sorted I plan to get racing on the local kermesse scene – known as the school of hard knocks, where being “in the red” is a common thing! I will go into battle with the many Belgians and riders from all over the world who are all after one thing – a pro contract! So the racing never fails to disappoint, unless you have a bad day, then it’s not so nice.
As the season goes on I hope to ride some Interclubs and stage races with the team and start looking towards 2013 already. The first year senior is always a transition year but with the Leaving Cert and this injury it looks as though this year will be a learning year more than anything.
I’m here until October at Hof ter Kammen with five housemates; four Brits and Paddy Clarke from west of the Shannon. The set-up here is perfect; it’s home from home really. Having been here last year I really feel better this time because I know where everything is; I know if I have a problem where I can get it sorted. And I get on with all of the lads – so it couldn’t be much better!
I’ve just got to start racing and get some results, then maybe things will become better. It’s hard being off the bike though, I wasn’t even off the bike this much during my exams. But when not riding my bike I like to sit in the Markt (Square) in Oudenaarde with the lads, drinking coffee and relaxing while watching the women walk past.
I’m not lying; I had to ask the lads today “Are there any bad looking girls in Belgium?” So that dampens the disappointment a bit – it’s the best past time I’ve ever had…..
Until next time.
Eoin
@Eoin_McCarthy
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