It all started in 2012.
In my hometown Hoeilaart they organize each year a 4 day festival. The last day there is a 45 min. MTB Race, an explosive event which includes a triple stair set, narrow streets and drunk people left and right.
The hardest part is to minimize the alcohol during the festival to be able to race on Monday. That the main reason why the locals are not so keen on participating.
I finished 3th and put my feet on the podium. The race took place exactly 3 years after I started to work as a bicycle messenger at PedalBXL. For one day I switched my 46x17 fixed gear work bike with a mountainbike borrowed from a friend. Still with a low percentage of alcohol in my blood I took off. Racing in your hometown gives you extra motivation of course, the people just shout you to the finish line.
In 2013 the race got bit more attention and more and better racers showed up. I managed to get 5th place overal and 1st local. Again with a borrowed bike and my legs trained in the Brussels streets.
In my hometown Hoeilaart they organize each year a 4 day festival. The last day there is a 45 min. MTB Race, an explosive event which includes a triple stair set, narrow streets and drunk people left and right.
The hardest part is to minimize the alcohol during the festival to be able to race on Monday. That the main reason why the locals are not so keen on participating.
I finished 3th and put my feet on the podium. The race took place exactly 3 years after I started to work as a bicycle messenger at PedalBXL. For one day I switched my 46x17 fixed gear work bike with a mountainbike borrowed from a friend. Still with a low percentage of alcohol in my blood I took off. Racing in your hometown gives you extra motivation of course, the people just shout you to the finish line.
In 2013 the race got bit more attention and more and better racers showed up. I managed to get 5th place overal and 1st local. Again with a borrowed bike and my legs trained in the Brussels streets.
In summer of 2014 I decided to go for more! There was a local café race called "Zappa koers". After finishing 5th I decided to go for more. I got some info from former world champion para-cycling Kris Bosmans. I got to know the guys from
De Vrienden Van Dominicos, (DVVD) a cycling team full of young and motivated guys from my area. Mostly raced together with Jelle, Lander an Robert. It was Jelle who invited me later after an indoor cycling session to come and race cyclocross.
De Vrienden Van Dominicos, (DVVD) a cycling team full of young and motivated guys from my area. Mostly raced together with Jelle, Lander an Robert. It was Jelle who invited me later after an indoor cycling session to come and race cyclocross.
The 2014 Steegjesrace was one step forward. I bought myself a mountainbike so I could ride finally a bike I could get used to and had the correct size. Managed to take the 4th place. Right in between Lander and Jelle from DVVD. It was clear that these 2 where going to be the guys who had about the same level.
I did about four more races and always had top 20 results. I was actually just happy about the fact that I could finish.
So few months passed and I got to know WVZ trough Jelle.
These were cyclocross races organized around Brussels, Mainly in flanders. My first race I did was pretty similar to what I did before: +- 50 minutes in red, giving everything you have in your legs.
I did about four more races and always had top 20 results. I was actually just happy about the fact that I could finish.
So few months passed and I got to know WVZ trough Jelle.
These were cyclocross races organized around Brussels, Mainly in flanders. My first race I did was pretty similar to what I did before: +- 50 minutes in red, giving everything you have in your legs.
Sunshine And mowing the grass
I never spent much time in the mud. Some Sundays I went with friends to hammer in the local "Zoniënwoud" and other MTB tracks. Those rides were super fun cause it was ideal just to spin the legs and chat about stupid things. Mainly I did them with my CX bike. A 2nd hand cantilever bike converted to 1x10 speed (40x11-28).
I remember first 2 races were pretty dry with lots of gravel and grass. So not super technical if it comes to cornering etc. Neerijse was the first one, weather conditions ideal! Full sunshine. The day before I did a roller race together with Cargo Vélo from Ghent. The leading bike messenger company in that area!
We all hammered till we dropped. took second place, first went to the local rowing club. And third to Robocyclo - Ghents cycling enthusiast. But spending that time on the rollers proved to have effect the day after. Starting at the back of the pack cause I had no idea what to expect. I could work my way to the front and managed to take 7th place.
I remember first 2 races were pretty dry with lots of gravel and grass. So not super technical if it comes to cornering etc. Neerijse was the first one, weather conditions ideal! Full sunshine. The day before I did a roller race together with Cargo Vélo from Ghent. The leading bike messenger company in that area!
We all hammered till we dropped. took second place, first went to the local rowing club. And third to Robocyclo - Ghents cycling enthusiast. But spending that time on the rollers proved to have effect the day after. Starting at the back of the pack cause I had no idea what to expect. I could work my way to the front and managed to take 7th place.
1 bike 2 pieces
When I spoke before with people about MTB and CX they always came to the same conclusion: its expensive! You gonna break derailleurs, chains and everything wears like it has just been sandblasted. Well that I experienced the 2nd race... Dilbeek, during warmup I ripped the right part of my handlebar off. OK show is over, back to the car putting trainers on and had in mind to check the start of the race. it was 10h55, 5 mins before the start Lander from DVVD spotted me in my pajamas and borrowed me their B bike. He convinced one of the officials to wait till I was ready. Still owe you guys something for that cause it was a super nice race!
Its all about the mud
The 3th race was the heaviest I ever did. Had my first crash and had for the fist time mechanical issues. Lost my Garmin and had doubts in narrow-wide chainrings.
They included a field full off mud and long grass an just after that a road with little rocks and gravel. I saw more than 5 people walking with their bike on the shoulder and a derailleur swirling from left to right. In this race I realized to be a good cyclocrosser you need experience, getting the right tires and pressure and have strong legs. If I only have that last one I will never get the podium.
I also want to thank my girlfriends mother and father for driving me to all the races. Without them this would be impossible.
In total I did 10 out of 15 races. Took 13th place in the A category ranking. There was a positive evolution to the last races. New goals are set for the 2015 - 2016 CX season. First getting the road season done, bookmark the page to keep in touch of the latest race results an evolutions.
They included a field full off mud and long grass an just after that a road with little rocks and gravel. I saw more than 5 people walking with their bike on the shoulder and a derailleur swirling from left to right. In this race I realized to be a good cyclocrosser you need experience, getting the right tires and pressure and have strong legs. If I only have that last one I will never get the podium.
I also want to thank my girlfriends mother and father for driving me to all the races. Without them this would be impossible.
In total I did 10 out of 15 races. Took 13th place in the A category ranking. There was a positive evolution to the last races. New goals are set for the 2015 - 2016 CX season. First getting the road season done, bookmark the page to keep in touch of the latest race results an evolutions.