Team Cyclingnews.com - 2005

Team Journal Entry - August 23, 2005, by Kane Oakley

Getting around the place

Howdy

Well it has been sad this week - we've lost our South African homeboy, Henry ["Bok"]. Some good times with the Bok - I hope your Mum loves your red hair! Also, thanks for the room, no more sharing for me!

Our injured rider, Tank, has gone to visit some relatives for a little bit of TLC! I've heard he's enjoying himself and his wings are on the mend.

Chatting to Brad McGee
Photo ©: JF Quenet

I have been doing a bit of travelling and catching up with some Oz mates. Last weekend I went to Germany to ride two crits with Jason "Bobby" Phillips and Scott McGory. The first night we rode in the rain for two hours round a tight course! Loved it! To my amazement the crowds where huge, they really must like rain or maybe the top class riders I was lapping with. The second night was clear, crowds even bigger and another great experience for me. After the race it was time to catch up with olds mates Robbie and Bobby for a couple of Germany's finest beers.

The next day I headed back to Everbeek for a couple of days before a race in the area. I was staying at Hotel Gat/Dreek; a fine establishment it is, with a lot of character and stories. Training included the great coffee shop stop. Nothing like a good couple of days training/racing and chilling with friends in Europe outside Booischot. But it's always good to get back to the Team house.

The Team has a busy program for the next two weeks:

23/08 GP Zottegem
24/08 Overijise
30/08 Merksem
04/09 Leuven

These are the main races - also, a few of us are travelling to Frankfurt for a crit and the others may do a local kermesse here or there.

Most of the riders will be backing up for all of these races due to the depleted team at the end of the season. It'll be a test for the team, but all have good legs after Tours and racing under the belt.

The weekend just gone by we raced Châteauroux Classic de l'Indre, a 1.1 race in France - a very nice fast race. The team performed well again, with 'The Hurricane' Hamish finding himself in a break, but the speed of the peloton was too much on the last eight finish laps. It all came back together with two laps to go. We did the best we could against the top French teams to position Cody for the sprint. The little dog had a great fight and finished in the top 20, but the finish camera missed him. I don't know how, but it happens to the best of us. Great race!

Poor old Jez "Dag" was the source of all our jokes and fun, at his expense! It had something to do with his new dancing style - I think he's found himself over here. Good for him!

I also caught up with some of the local fans that I met there in '98! Nice

The six hour drive there and back, no words can describe the feelings I had about it!

I would like to thank "Dirty Dog" energy drinks, "Finish Bidons" and the drivers (Daniel, Eddy and Benny)! Can't fault your dedication to the team. Hope the weather is not too cold in Oz for all you early birds that love a ride at sparrows'! I'll keep you updated on the movements in the house soon.

OVER!!!

Kane "Munge" Oakley

P.S. Hey Mooks...