w̶a̶i̶t̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶p̶e̶r̶f̶e̶c̶t̶ ̶m̶o̶m̶e̶n̶t̶ , take the moment and make it perfect...

Belgium. The place where bike racing was born, the history, the cobblestones, the bergs, the legends, and the infamous "Kermesse" scene. It really is "the" country for a serious bike racer and I have certainly learnt that this season. I have learnt all the pro's and con's of being a cyclist in Europe and learnt lessons that will take me through the rest of my years as a competitive bike rider. Although another thing Belgie is famous for is being incredibly hard. And in a lot of ways! Not only is it hard on the bike (and trust me, it is!), but for most its worse on the head! It can be hard to stay sane over here sometimes, when, at this time of year, a lot of people are beginning to show cracks in their armor.
The end of the season is now in sight and many riders are beginning to lose the motivation to train, race and in some cases even look at their bikes...

Not me though - I am living it up and loving every minute of my experience! I am still here and as motivated as ever to finish my season on a high..

Since my last post I have been racing a lot! I have ridden mostly kermesse races and I am consistently climbing that ladder and improving my result in each race. I am starting to really get involved in the racing and feeling stronger and stronger with every race I do. I feel now I am now getting fully accustomed and adapted to the style that belgian kermesse racing requires.

I learn something new every race and take it into the next race, which is the way it should be. You never stop learning over here and thats why I think its fantastic to be based here. The u23 kermesse in Kruishoutem was a prime example. Cross wind section splits bunch of 100+ riders into 2 groups, 30-40 riders are now at the lead of the race. I attacked out of the bunch and after almost a whole lap of chasing I get to the back of the split just before we reach the crosswind section of the course. Lucky! Lesson learned, make the original split! Easier said than done I know - but just shows what even doing your homework can do. Unfortunately the front spilt into a few groups again, but I had no legs to respond to any attacks after my efforts to get across. I was 34th that day, but really showed myself that I was getting stronger - progression...

Conor Dunne (fellow Irishman) and I in Kruishoutem u23 Kermesse

I hit 2 birds with one stone in Wambeek - experience wise! Firstly it was extremely hot, I mean 45 degrees celcius before the start. Secondly there was a nice cobbled berg roughly 1.5km in length. For me these were two factors I have never had to deal with in a race situation before. Luckily I had good legs on the day - my positioning for the berg every lap made it a lot easier and I drank more than enough to keep me going for the 120km over 13 ronde's (taking roughly a bottle a lap). I was 18th in Wambeek that day and its safe to say it was one of my favorite days EVER on my bike! Such an epic race, in epic conditions, with a decent result and ride and to put the cherry on the cake Dan won, in an epic way!

Tackling the cobbled-berg in Wambeek

Hulst was another day where I learnt a lot. A "Soenens-Construkt Glas" sponsors race meant a colour domination of red, black and white in the peleton - that along with the presence on kermesse kings Guy Smet, Jo Maes and Co. and "EFC-Omega-Pharma-Quickstep" meant I did feel a bit out of my league on the start line. All the experienced older riders who have hundreds on kermesse wins between them rolling up beside this young Irish kid who has only been racing in Belgium a few weeks certainly was certainly exciting. I convinced myself I was just as strong as anyone that day on the start line and turns out I was!

Breakaway day in Hulst

First lap the breakaway formed. I was in it! Mixing it with the big boys and thats where I remained until the end - not just hanging on though, making the moves, doing my shared work and attacking! The breakaway swelled to roughly 25 riders after a few laps and spilt again but I was 15th that day but more than happy with my performance, I really proved to myself that I have no problems racing with the best guys n Belgium. A big confidence booster! 

Another day I spent in the breakaway was in the u23 race in Kluisbergen-Ruien. This kermesse was very different one in which I would out in the "epic" category. We had to do 10 laps of 5.8km around the village with primies every lap.  Then after 10 laps we moved onto a bigger circuit of 9km for 4 laps with the steep berg the "Kluisbos" every lap.

Again, the breakaway formed quite early on and was pretty big. I think we started out with 18 guys in front! All the hitters were there so a good race was in the pipeline. I had really great legs for the local ronde's and as soon as we hit the climb after 65-70km my legs went to jelly. Each lap I got distanced over the top of the climb as the better climbers sprinted for the Bergprijs and every time I was to get back on through the corners on the decent taking crazy risks! The last time up the Kluisbos I had all the noise of the crowds and attention on me. Being distanced from my breakaway companions in the crosswind sections on the last lap I rode over the Kluisbos to the finish on my own. It was a great feeling (not physically but certainly mentally). Without the supporters that day it would have been a very difficult last 4 laps! 14th at the finish. Happy camper!

In other kermesses I have been doing I have been getting more and more involved. Sint-Gillas-Waas, Massemen-Wetteren, Sleidinge and Maldegem are examples of races where I have been really involved but unfortunately have gotten no result that can do me any justice. A 30th place for example certainly doesn't reflect what kind of race I've had. But all in all my 2012 season in Belgium has thought me a lot of valuable lessons.

I am now coming to the end of my racing season here in Belgium, my last race is either the 8th or 13th or October and the winter is fast approaching. I have had a fantastic 2012 and will now enjoy my last races and will enjoy my few weeks off even more!

I want to say a big thank you to my family, housemates, friends and everyone who was a part of my 2012 cycling season and for everyone who supported me through the ups and downs. I am very grateful for all your support!

Thanks for reading!

Eoin