GP Jef Scherens

Yesterday I rode the GP Jef Scherens in Leuven, a real circuit race with repeatedly the same tough lap. The hills in the lap weren't that particularly difficult but because there were four hills per lap, it started to get hard during the 13th lap, of the 180km long race.

On the first lap a couple of big groups got away but they didn't get much of a chance, my main concern was to ride near the front of the peloton and luckily enough too because just as we were entering the start of the second lap, the pace increased on a small climb and a group of away of 31 with myself and Dominique Cornu from Skil-Shimano. The group was too big but the cooperation was enough to keep the peloton at bay, with the advantage hovering around the one minute mark. Then when behind the pace of the peloton increased under the impulse of several team, we put the hammer down in the leading group and the group reduced to 17. The group then grew to 24 with three laps to go.

In the mean time the peloton once again applied the pressure and it was clear that we were going to get caught after having been 140km at the front. I tried to get away a few times as well as trying to join the front of the peloton when it caught us but that didn't work out. When we were completely caught, a group of six got away immediately who rode away to the finish. Behind I tried to break away but there wasn't a chance and so my group resigned itself to ride for the 7th place.

In the sprint I rode for Mitchel Docker, one of our sprinters, and I came 33rd.

Result-wise it was a bit of a shame that I couldn't go further because my legs were really good today and I rode an attacking race. The form is good and hopefully that will come out in the Tour of Britain that begins next Saturday.

Greetings, Koen