Thank you for all the support this season

Cal Giant Strawberry, Specialized, TRP, Sram, and family

Nys and TRP

Nys points to his new set up with the TRP carbon brakes just before the start of the WC in Hoogerheide, NL. He is discussing how much he likes them with Lance Larrebe, the man from TRP, who is headed to the worlds in Treviso.

the day after, I need a morning pill

well, the Big event came and went. Americans did really well, a gold and silver in the ladies grouping, Kathy and Trina, and some top tens for the men, but Gannon was the biggest disappointment again. Will Black was the top man in sixth, Kramer nailed down an 8th, and Gary Noe made the top ten.
I have learn now after 6 tries here for the top spot that there is a lot of luck involved. the start is so chaotic, and if you don't get the front row and clear the mess easily and get off the beach in the top 5, the race for the win is not yours. once again we all drew back row starts. I was on the third row and got stuck behind a jam in the first corner, and then got knocked over on the first lap, at that point a race for the win was over, but passing 3 guys on the last lap put me in 8th, ~ok. interesting enough, only one of the three major Belgium contenders got third, the other two finished behind me, one who I passed in the last lap. and these guys won every race, 20+, this season in Belgium, favorites... kinda shows how lady luck is a charm you need here.
Don't ask, but the leg is killing me this morning and it felt like a broom stick yesterday, so I don't think there will be a race today.
But the weather will be great, rain and windy.

rain, then sun

yesterday the rain was blowing sideways and our van was turned upside down as we drove back through Gent from Brugge.... no riding in these conditions, but it paid off, as we were to do a training ride with the local club today, Wednesday. we met our sponsor Jeff Peters, brother to the famous Wilfred Peters and headed to the town center, coffee first. here we met, 20 year old Sunweb pro, Johan van Dahl(?) and the Belgium TT champion. 60 young riders showed at the church meeting place,.... 60 riders, dressed in local club gear to do the 15k loop. 2 by 2 we were instructed, nothing fast, no attacking. after 1 lap the 14 year olds split to the back and we continued around for 3 more laps, as the others continued. met the jr national team trainer and arranged for a meeting on Friday.
perfect training and some great weather, there is more rain to come

Wiekevorst,

today we had great weather again with clear skies. did not get any sleep that night and my head never seemed to get on tract. it is a great race, mostly through fields, we got their early and warmed up, but I did not seem to be able to get to the line on time and just about missed the start. so at the back row and little time to focus, I never notice the Belgium champ up front, and he was, in Belgium style. allowed to escape on the first lap, I started ok, but he was gone. after working through traffic to the front in the first 3/5rd a lap, I road a lone all race, try to bridge to him, the guys behind soon disappeared, but Sals, was crushing it off the front. with 3 to go, there was no way I could get him.
Congratulated him at the finish and dubbed him "crusher", he smiled and said " don't miss the start next race", we laughed.
Well, he looks like the man, but this kinda of course favors him, open power, he is big. I was happy to have faced him and am excited about the challenge at worlds.
Gannon had a great start, and moved into the front group of 5 on the start of the 2nd lap, he went down hard when he clipped a corner pole (steel rod) and had a yard sale. when he gathered 8 guys went by, we rode the last lap together
Cheers

Belgium opener

Shriek was a fast technical course under sunny skies, and despite the constant pushing, shoving, and yelling by the locals, I managed to cross the line in first with a very solid final lap.
More to follow.... our van.
Lots of familiar American over here this year and the crowds have grown, making everything more exciting.
Teammate Gannon had a tough day with no gears and a back row start in a very fast field. Todays course, in Wiekevorst should play out better, with a long road start and more open terrain to move around.