Joe Dombrowski's Euro Cross Camp Diary: Belgian National Race in Gent

Day Two here in Belgium is a wrap. We did a Belgian National race today in Gent, and it was truly an amazing racing experience.
 
All of us Juniors piled into the USA Cycling Saabs with the Dodge Sprinter vans following us, carry the bikes, tools, etc. Within an hour we were at the venue and quickly went to race registration. Here in Belgium the race registration is typically inside; bars seem to typically be the building of choice. When I opened the door I was confronted by the stench of cigar smoke and alcohol which was billowing out the door. I followed Geoff and the other Juniors to the back of the bar where we found the registration table. The man began speeking to us in what I assume was Flemish. Geoff corrected him, and he switched to English, but confusion ensued.
 
It turned out we had to buy a "Belgium calendar card" which carries all your race information on a simple barcode; that way when you show up to a race, all you have to do is scan your card and grab your number (which you can return to recoop the majority of your race entry.) As all this craziness was taking place in the back of the bar, all these old Belgian men were staring at us. You would hear bits of conversation containing "American" followed by head-shaking and laughing. I assume they were wagering which one of us Americans would get spanked the most in the race. Belgium is certainly not a forgiving place to race a bike.
 
Unfortunately, I don't have Belgian national race points so I was second to last in the call up. The start was fast, very fast. These euros are pretty aggressive too, I have begun to expect to be cut off in corners, and have learned that you have to play the game if you want to compete. The course was very short and very urban. The race actually started and finished in a street in the middle of town. I eventually made my way from the back of the pack to seventh, but then faded a bit to finally finish ninth.
 
Following the race we stopped by "The Wall" a massive vending machine with everything from Nutella, to fresh baked bread, to vodka. I ended up purchasing Chocolate Loigeus: a chocolatey pudding treat; it was quite tasty.

"The Wall"

Tommorow is another day of training, massage, and rest. We will continue riding through Christmas, with the next race on Friday. Then we will begin a serious racing period with a race just about every other day for nine days. 
 
On one final note: We are debating one whether to ride to the Roubaix velodrome tomorrow (finish of Paris-Roubaix) or ride to the super steep and coblled Koppenberg climb (big climb in the Tour of Flanders)... decisions,decisions.
 
Also, Jeremy Powers stopped by for dinner tonight. And Ryan Trebon is slated to do the ride tomorrow.
 
Should be a good time.

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Comments

[Jesse]

I would love to hear more comparissons about how the belgium race compared to us here in the states?

Good luck out there!

[PokeTheBear]

Hey Mike (and Joe)--I love these racer diaries from abroad and across the U.S. Keep it up.