Ireland’s Eoin McCarthy (leading) has been giving it a good lash in Belgium in recent weeks
Having traded his Fermoy CC colours for the ASFRA-Flanders Racing Team strip in Belgium in recent months, Eoin McCarthy is still full of enthusiasm and riding as the Belgian season draws to a close and some men fall down around him.
The end of the season is now in sight in Belgium 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’m living it up and loving every minute of my experience. I‘m still here and as motivated as ever to finish my season on a high.
I’ve been racing a lot the last few weeks, riding mostly kermesse races and consistently climbing that ladder and improving my results in each race. I’m starting to really get involved in the racing and I’m feeling stronger all the time. I feel I’m now getting fully accustomed and adapted to the approach that Belgian kermesse racing requires.
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You never stop learning over here. The recent U23 kermesse in Kruishoutem was a prime example. Crosswind sections had split the bunch of 100+ riders into two groups; 30-40 riders were at the head 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 reached 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 and 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.
I hit two birds with one stone in the next outing at Wambeek in terms of experienced gained. Firstly it was extremely hot; 45 degrees Celsius 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 and it’s safe to say it was one of my favourite days ever on my bike. Such an epic race, in epic conditions, with a decent result.
Hulst was another recent venue where I learnt a lot. A "Soenens-Construkt Glas" sponsored race meant a colour domination of red, black and white in the peloton. That along with the presence on kermesse kings Guy Smet, Jo Maes & Co and ‘EFC-Omega-Pharma-Quickstep’ meant I did feel a bit out of my league on the start line.
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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 exciting for me. I convinced myself I was just as strong as anyone that day on the start line and turns out I was!
First lap, the breakaway formed. I was in it - mixing it with the big boys and that’s 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. I ended up 15th but more than happy with my performance. I really proved to myself that I have no problems racing with the best guys in Belgium; a big confidence booster.
Another day I spent in the breakaway was in the U23 race in Kluisbergen-Ruien. This kermesse was a very different one which I would out in the "epic" category. We had to do 10 laps of 5.8km around the village with primes every lap. Then after 10 laps we moved onto a bigger circuit of 9km for 4 laps with the steep berg of 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 but 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 prime, and every time I was to get back on through the corners on the descent 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 four laps; 14th at the finish and a happy camper.
In other kermesses I’ve been doing I’ve 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 results. 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’m now coming to the end of my racing season here; my last race is either the 8th or 13th of 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
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