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Team Cyclingnews.com - 2005

Team Journal Entry - March 19, 2005, by Cam Jennings

It's all go…it's all good!

Hi all,

Well, a week and a bit has passed and we've completed three races in that time. Bikes have arrived, weather has warmed up nicely and all the riders have wandered on into the team's place. The only thing left is for the rest of our clothing to roll on in and everything will be set.

First race in this report was a Pro Kermesse at Wanzele. Belgian weather was in full force, so it was wet and cold for the entire race. The race organisers did not help matters, holding us on the start line for a good 15 minutes in the wet, so when the race started and the Collstrop boys got straight into it the group was split after half a lap. Me, not being the best in the cold, was flapping around the second group. Fortunately it all came back together and by this time I was warming up a little. Had a few sniffs off the front but wasn't doing that well and resigned myself to life in the bunch.

Eventually, seven riders got away and the field sorted out a bunch kick. Finished safely and content to get the race in, considering the conditions and happy that that was the last time on my borrowed bike - the new bikes arrived at our house as we were leaving for the race.

Next appointment was Kemzeke "Ronde van het Waasland" an unattractive race on the best of days. All flat, with cobbles, wind, rain and 200 guys racing or sheep stations. Kemzeke or "Kamikazie". Anyway, the first big lap went ok, and at the start of the second lap there was a big crash - I did a nice bit of muddy field riding to avoid it and regained the bunch, albeit in the third group. Eventually flapped my way to the second group and with a second big lap coming to a close, and the first two groups coming together, I experienced another dose of "Cameron good luck" and suffered a rear puncture. Did I say I wasn't Irish? Gap between us and the third group wasn't big enough for team cars, and when the Mavic neutral spares eventually changed my wheel the third group rolled on by. Got to them, chased with them, and caught another small group - then the jury pulled us out. Pretty peeved but that is racing.

Two days later and we were lining up for Nokere-Koerse, a nice Belgium semi-classic in the heart of the Vlaamse Ardennes. Friendly weather had turned up as it does every year at Nokere and we rolled out of Grote Maarkt at Oudenaarde under blue clear skies and 20°c temperatures. Have always enjoyed this race and have always seem to ride well. A big lap of 45km was completed without difficulty and then the race went into 10 laps of a 14km circuit with a 300m cobbled climb and the finish line perched on top. A few breaks on the circuits took off and came back, and with two laps to go the race was back together. By this stage it was Hamish and myself left in the race, but with half a lap to go 20 guys rode off in the crosswind with both Hamish and I too far back when it happened. Hamish snuck into a late move and placed 27th and I was 41st, rattling home up the cobbled hill in the bunch.

So, all the guys are here now. Cody arrived last Wednesday and our 12th rider Kane Oakley flew in yesterday. Next race is Sunday, another 1.1 like Nokere called GP Rudy Dhaenens. Hopefully the good weather hangs around. Bring on the kit.

Till next time,
Cam


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