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Last Updated: 2 Apr 2018 - 8:45:17 PM |
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| Morgan Fox |
I have recovered from the injury I picked up in Dwaar doors Belgie but it took a little longer than anticipated. I was off the bike completely for three days and then had to start training lightly starting with 1/2 hour on the rollers 2-3 times per day and gradually building up to 5hrs. This meant that I missed out on some sweet races, but there are plenty more to come.
Gent-Wevelgem 4 April, Hors categorie.
The race of the wires (echelons) as it is affectionately known in Belgium, meaning that the wind plays a big factor in this race, was run in less than ideal conditions this year. 2-3 degrees with a chilly wind and a little rain to help matters kept most of the riders indoors till the last possible moment. Not the fans however who seemed to be oblivious to the chill as they thronged the start area. Ciaran was up for this one and it was great to see him again and catch up on all the news. He is looking lean and mean and adapting well to the Pro life by the sounds of it.
This is my first race back, so I don't know what to expect and am a little nervous of my dodgy leg. Testing it out on the local hill is not the same as a race and I am hoping that I don't feel that twinge again. It can be very difficult to get to the start line in these races with all the people and I have the same problem today, it's like being stuck in a human traffic jam. Magnus Backsted is with me and despite his size is having the same problem. Eventually we get through with the help of a police man and we line up. I start the race with full gloves and a windstopper and chat with Ciaran for the first 30kms slagging him for forgetting his gloves "you're not in Italy now lad". His brother is there to see the race and he has a big tri-color with him it's great to see it , you're never more patriotic than when you're away from home I reckon.
The racing starts in earnest after 40 kms and I feel good, always staying in the first 20 and every time it splits in the wind I am in the front. I have to look after Michel Van Haecke also so every time there is a lull I go looking for him. The hammer is really down as we go through the feed zone I take my bag and don't even attempt to open it just swinging it around my shoulder until the race eases up. 15kms later the bag is still in the over my shoulder but I am in a good position in the first 25 and its starting to blow to pieces at 65kph on the flat. I hit a small stone on the road and bang! front wheel flats .I have to go straight on in the corner to avoid crashing, watching the crowd dive for cover.
I get a wheel from neutral which seems to take forever, it gives me a chance to empty the feed bag at last. The dropped groups are holding up the team cars and Gerard comes up and says there is no chance of getting back on. I resign myself to the fact and ride back in a group containing Konychev. Ciaran rides well and only loses contact at the Kemmelberg. I have 180kms in my legs by the time I get back so a good training spin and best of all no pain in the dodgy leg. Michel finishes 6th in the first group but was a little dead at the finish and is disappointed. Winner Gerdt Van Bondt (Farm Frites), 2nd (Van Petegem), 3rd (Musseuw).
GP Pino Cerami 6 April 1.3
Good weather!!!!!! this cant be Belgium in April ,15-20 degrees. I feel good again and stay close to the front , determined to make up for Wednesday. Ciaran is also there and after 100kms we agree that things are really hotting up. The pushing and jockeying for position starts as the focal point of the race is coming, a 19% cobbled climb to be completed 6 times. It's important to stay in the first fifteen as somebody always slips a gear or falls and then you have no choice but to walk. Saeco and Polti have men on the front I am on the wheel of Blijlevens in 8th position . I can hear the shouts of God Verdomme ( God damn it) behind me as guys get a little too close. Then this "clown" from Collstrop comes flying up, and try's to push Blijlevens off the wheel of his team mate. They start pushing and before I know it the Collstrop guy falls and lands on my front wheel wiping me and about 40 others out. I am pinned to the ground by a yellow bike with Ciaran Power written on the top tube. I free myself from the wreckage not seriously hurt but my two wheels are in half and the mechanic is busy replacing them. Ciaran appears and doesn't look too bad .We chase for a while but it's game over again. I'm annoyed but we have a good laugh about the idiot that caused it and are happy not to be seriously hurt. Glen Magnusson (Farm Frites) broke both collar bones in the same crash. Crash number one of the season and hopefully the last-----but I doubt it.
Michel finishes second in a millimetere sprint from Jan Bratkowski (Mercury) , with Miguel Van Kessel (Farm Frites) in third.
Hel Van Het Mergelland 7 April 1.4
Who was it that said Holland is flat????? This was a very difficult race. 181kms and 40kms of climbing. 190 starters and 60 finishers, cobbles, 20% climbs, crazy descents but I felt pretty good despite yesterdays crash. I am the only one from the team to finish so I am in the good books. Gerard comes to me after the finish and says that he wants me to start in "La Fleche Wallone" (Hors categorie) on Wednesday and not "Veenendaal-Veenendaal" 1.2 as originally planned for me , plus "Liege-Bastogne-Liege" (World cup) at the weekend. I go home knackered but content. 1st Bert Grabsch (Team Cologne) ,2nd Dirk Mueller (Post Swiss) ,3rd David Moncoutie (Cofidis).
Till next time,
Morgan.
P.S. Mickey "Knots", John "Stone" Wall and Mickey Fitz thanks for the e-mails and the encouragement
IrishCycling.Com: Would like to thank Morgan for allowing us to share his diary
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