Everything At Once
We've just completed the Vermarc 2 Day stage race in Belgium, the most prestigious Interclub race of the year and always very hotly contested by highly motivated riders.
2 stages, 1 west , 1 east of Brussels on very different courses and this year, in very different weather conditions.
Stage 1 in the very smart small town of Tervuren, was wet, windy, wild and challenging. A mix of town cobbles, broken road surfaces and very narrow sections brought many splits and crashes throughout the day. This was a stage for hardened Flandrian types! The race was attritional, with nothing really going off the front but plenty happening throughout the bunch. With delays caused by riders coming down, groups splintered and had to work hard to chase back before eventually unable to close the gaps in the wind. Freya and Amelia part of such circumstance. Beth crashed, hurting her wrist and abandoned. Erin, riding so well now Uni has finished (!) , was in the lead selection of 40 (from 145 starters), until someone came across her front wheel bringing her down. A very unfortunate occurance as she was riding so well, but she'd start day 2. Abby was in a small group just off the back of this lead group and would start day 2 51st overall, 17th U23.
Day 2, still breezy but warm and dry. A lovely circuit around Sint Martens Bodegem for 100km awaits. Again a quick pace, and a mixture of roads, from cobbles and quick main road descents and a narrow climb, a real sort out. Freya in a small group got distanced at halfway, but was very active to try and chase with her group.
Erin, three quarters in, but the injuries from Stage 1 were beginning to pay, a great effort and bodes really well for the summer, just pure bad luck this time round.
Amelia and Abby hung in there in the much reduced main bunch as breaks went and were brought back. 2 managed to stay away, including stage 1 winner and yellow jersey holder, who went on the win stage 2 as well, hugely impressive riding, remember the name, Helena Bieber.
The chase was n from an active peloton, and in the shake up, Abby finished a very good 11th in the sprint, hugely consistent, and Amelia the ride of the day, 50th, the best road race result of her young career, and a highly creditable performance.
So here ended a long weekend, not without it's ups and downs, but a very hard race with valuable experiences gained, topped off with noteworthy results. Well done to all.
