welcome back...

...and what a welcome it was!

If you've read my previous blog entries you would have seen I have just had a mid season break. Like in any sport a time to reflect and do "normal person" activities. These included, shopping, sightseeing (Lorient and Lanester), a music festival in Hennebont and Lorient, a meal out, a visit to watch a race and a cinema trip! As you can see I was pretty busy..but ultimately felt refreshed and ready to take on 2011, season part 2.

So Monday morning came and I was eager to get back on the bike, after 7 days of laziness. Woke to find rain, lots of it in fact. Still nothing was stopping me today and I caped up, manned up, and headed off for just over 2 hours. Keeping it easy the sun soon came out. Great to be back, if a little stiff in the legs.

Tuesday and to be fair got a bit carried away, another 2 hours but went into  hack mode, for some unknown reason, half way through, probably not a good idea, note to self ease back into the training!

So Wednesday came and the usual race preparation of an hours spin with some sprints in the morning, pick up team car and count down the hours to the evenings race.

Criterium de Lanester 

So 6pm came around and I arrived to pick up Sam Allen for the 20 minute drive to Lanester. Other than my bike nearly falling off the roof rack (scary moment) we arrived an hour before the start ready for the evening's festivities. Sunny skies yet mild rather than hot. Perfect racing weather. 

Arriving and it looked familiar. That's because it was the finish to Tro Div Ster stage race, stages 2 and 3 (see earlier blog entries). Hosted by the same club they had the big hoardings, podium, and finish line. Looking more like a Tour finish rather than an evenings semi nocturne.

Signed on and looking down the list of riders it was a high quality field. A couple of Saur Sojasun under 23s, UC Cholet, BIC2000, VCP Lorient, a load of Hennebont Cyclisme (including the awesome David Chopin) Leuciemie Espoir, UC Nantes and AC Lanester, with Warren Barguil, top under 23 national squad rider, 8th, on the weekend, at amateur nationals and recently signed as a stagiaire for Francais de Jeux professional team.

So in essence it wasn't going to be a gentle reintroduction to racing! 

7:30pm and lined up ready to roll. After struggling to sleep after these races, I decided to experiment and do this race without the help of my usual coffee before. Would soon find out if this was a silly move. There was also much debate before the start just how many laps of the 3 and a bit kilometre circuit there was. One website quoting 21 laps, another 31. A big difference!

So myself and Sam were prepared for 21 laps, as most of the other riders seemed to be as well. Yet lined up 31 laps were on the board...lovely.

Away we went. The lap was a proper kermesse style affair, a drag round the back, a couple of roundabouts to negotiate, a very dodgy railway cross just before a fast left hander and some big open roads with a massive headwind!

First lap and a neutralised one. Second lap and it kicked off in earnest. The 70 plus riders soon were in one line and basically that's pretty much the way it stayed for the next 2 and a bit hours! With such a high quality field the break was sure to go at some point and soon 10 or so riders attacked on the drag. I was not feeling to good and to be fair legs felt like they were suffering from shock, after not having to do such effort for so many days. Still the gap opened and I wasn't ready to let the race go up the road. I put my head down and dug deep. 

Sam was just in front and I was a couple of bike lengths off the break as I took some silly risks into the roundabouts to get on just before the block headwind section. Glancing back and I was last rider across. Race sorted? Nope.

Soon the bunch were back onto us and the attacks followed again. I was suffering from my effort. Mainly the legs seemed just to feel really diesel like. Not good. Soon a break had gone. 

Sam, who was flying, got in it and 7 riders were away. Still not all was lost as race favourites Barguil and Chopin were still in the bunch. Not for long though. Onto the drag and Barguil attacked. No one could go with him. It was immense to watch..and watch is all I could do!

Soon Chopin had bridged across with a handful of riders too. 12 away. The race was gone. 

I was having enough fun and games in the bunch to be to disappointed about not getting in the move. We were flying along. One line. Sprinting out of corners and battling into the headwind. UC Cholet and Saur Sojasun had surprisingly both missed the break yet this clearly showed quite how hard this race was.

6 laps to go and I was suffering. Unfortunately Sam was too and he cramped and was dropped from the break. A real shame considering how strong he was going. A top 5 would have definitely have been on the cards if he didn't cramp.

So there it was last lap and I rolled in in the bunch. Just to put into perspective the difficulty of the race, we caught David Chopin, who had been dropped from the break, on the line.

Warren Barguil won showing his amazing class. Soloing the last 2 laps! Francais de Jeux have a real talent there!

So for me not the best introduction back to racing. No surprise really and a real shock to the system. Still I finished and had a very good workout. Hopefully this has opened me up for Friday's semi nocturne at Arzon.

If last nights race is anything to go by I think I'll be needing that coffee before the start come Friday!

mid season review...

It's that time of the year, the sun is out (well it should be!), The Tour's just weeks away and for many it's the time of the season for a bit of reflection and a bit of a mid season break.

That's exactly what I've been doing this week! After generally getting more and more tired after the last couple of weeks it was a sure sign I needed to take my mid season break. Both mentally and physically it's a good time to unwind and do some "normal" everyday activities that don't include riding your bike.

So 28 races done with 2 stage races and being pretty full on since February, other than a rest, it's the perfect time now to reflect on the highs and lows of the first half of the season and also to look forward to the second.


So rather than go through every race methodically (I have the time, just don't think anyone would be to interested reading it!) I am bullet pointing each month with a few highs/lows and something I learnt.

So sit back and watch me take the first part of the season to pieces...


FEBRUARY

HIGHS

arrived in France!

Got first top 10 in first race out here

finished my first Elite National race, Route Bretonne

LOWS

rained for basically the whole month!

came out of the month with an injury with my thigh

 I LEARNT

racing here is gonna be full on!


MARCH


HIGHS

Took part and finished in, what so far has been my favourite and biggest race of the year, Manche Atlantique.

Made crucial split in first local race


LOWS

Suffered with injury for much of this month on and off, so missed Baud Moreac, a big Elite race.

Punctured in La Fleche de Locmine, 15 mins in, no support car, no wheel, pretty much summed up the month!


I LEARNT


Training had to be changed to race over here, train like The French, less miles, more intensity


APRIL

HIGHS 


First top 20 in tough 1/2/3 race in Plougoumelen.

Top 15 in ridiculously hilly race at Ploerdut

LOWS

Got a kicking at Circuit d'armorique, when Katusha feeder team decided to turn up

Lots of racing finishing in bunch kicks, bit limited with my rubbish sprint!

I LEARNT


Need to work on that V02 effort and more sprint training needed


MAY

HIGHS


Took part and rode strongly in my first stage race, Tour des Mauges, loved every minute of it!

Started to feel strong and getting into some form. Biggest month of racing here so far

LOWS


Big mechanical incident at Pleucadeuc, wheel, chain, rear mech, hanger destroyed... an expensive month!

Felt awesome at Tro Div Ster stage race, unfortunately big teams controlled it meaning every stage ended in a bunch sprint

I LEARNT


With two stage races and racing so much in a month recovery is key in between


JUNE

HIGHS


First podium out here in St Jaques en Sarzeau race

Best month of racing for me so far, got 3rd,7th,10th,13th places in some tough races and was at last at the sharp end of races!

LOWS

Suffered in the cold and wet conditions at Plouay and Priziac races.

Felt pretty tired by end of month!

I LEARNT


The pattern of the races, it's taken a while but hopefully now have the magical formula!


So there you have it, 4 and a bit months squashed into a few bite size pieces. In summary I'm quite happy with how it's gone. Would have liked March and April to have been better but with settling into a new country, language and a completely different style of racing it was always going to be tough. June by far has been my best month and hopefully the second half of the season will follow on from that.

Lots more racing, lots more training, lots more blogging and hopefully lots of good results to come.

Before then time to relax and enjoy the last few days of my mid season break!

Priziac...world champion, rain and wind..lovely

Good evening,

Well not sure about "good" more a welcome from a tired Dan Kogan!

If you've been following my blog's you will see I've been racing a lot recently. With my season starting over here in France in the second week of February I can safely say I've done a fair amount of racing, 28 races in fact, including 2 stage races.

So at this time in the season the body and mind are starting to feel it a bit. The last couple of weeks I seem to be in a constant tired state, yet strangely have also got my best results in the last 2 weeks!

In February I decided, when looking through my race calendar, that my last race before my mid season break would be Priziac on 19th June. I think this was a good decision as I definitely need the break now! My head is good and keener than ever but I think the body needs a week of recuperation, and some comfort food!

Before the week of rest I had the race at Priziac. After Caudan on Thursday my body was in all sorts of pain, legs heavy, sleeping badly, I was a bit of state. I wasn't sure what the best course of action was so I did a very very easy hour Friday and an hour and a half easy Saturday...no better unfortunately!


So Sunday came and to be honest I wasn't sure how my body would take it. Caudan I'd felt terrible before but great in the race, I was hoping for the same today.

So 1pm and my team mate Pascal, his wife and two sons arrived to pick me up for the half an hour drive to Priziac. The skies were grey and the wind was howling...June weather, it was not!

Arriving we were early so I had a chat with some of The Lucemie Espoir riders, from New Zealand (nice opportunity to speak some English) Signed on and I went off for a 20 minute warm up.

3pm and lined up ready for the off. Just over 60 riders with some big names present including Jordan Le Gal and Oliver Le Gac, none over than The World Junior Champion! I had been told he was a beast (no kidding!) and he'd won some big senior races out here as well. Clearly this wasn't going to be the easy race I'd  planned for, then again over here they don't seem to do easy races!

7.5km relatively flat circuit 10 times then a hilly 14.5km loop twice. Off we went and the pace was on from the off, as was the rain which started just as we did, typical.

Sitting in the top 15 or so riders I felt ok, but soon attacks were going and it began getting grippy. Luckily Pascal was on a good day and managed to get in the first break of the day. Flying along we were averaging 45km/h and the bunch was in one line, with The World Champion still in it and being heavily marked.

This didn't seem to bother him as after a few kilometres he attacked and only two brave (strong) riders were able to get on his wheel. I couldn't! I tried but legs were flat. The rain was coming down but that didn't stop the peleton from chasing hard, the now 20 rider split up ahead.

The gap was a mere 18 seconds, yet it was a case of the break nearly being caught only for the bunch to sit up, the gap went out again. I was keen though, however bad I felt, to get myself back into the race so attacked hard into the headwind. I got a gap, a big one! Unfortunately no one came with me and with 60km to go and 20 riders up front it was a tall order. I kept riding hard though hoping for a group to come across. 8km later I was still out in front feeling terrible and no one had come across!

I sat up, back to the bunch. Soon the fire went out of the bunch, as did a lot of the riders, as rain, the speed and wind took it's toll. Onto the final 2 laps of the hillier circuit and it all began kicking off in the bunch. 1 lap to go and fed up and getting cold I attacked on the 2km climb, going away with 4 others and basically that was it. We were minutes behind the splintered and thinned down break, yet in front of the bunch. Finishing very wet, cold and tired... pretty much how I started the day!


Pascal blew up due to running out of food and finished 13th, he did though win a 45 euro prime! World Champ won after attacking break with 30km to go with a couple of others.

So now with a piece of Far Breton cake in hand I am having a good rest.

Will do a mid season report/blog later in week but for now I am just looking forward to a good, dry, couple of days relaxing!

Crazy Caudan criterium

Morning. Yes it's early and yes I've been up for ages...this can only mean it's the morning after a Semi nocturne!

No sleep. No surprise either as was pretty wired after last night's race and in the following rambling you will see why...


After Monday's wet and hard race, where I came away with another top 10 and some more breakaway experience, I took Tuesday easy. I'm saying that as if I had a choice, I felt terrible! A bad nights sleep after the race (seems to be a recurring theme now) and body feeling the effects of over 25 races this season so far. So an easy ride, which was probably the slowest ride I've done in a very long time..23km/h I was crawling.

Wednesday didn't feel much better, just tired and energyless. So I decided a day off was the best idea. A day spent chilling in town, visiting the Tourist Office, library, book shop and of course the cafe!

So Thursday and race day. Awoke to finally some good weather...sun! Headed out for an hours spin and still felt pretty naff to be honest, still I was entered to race in the evening and had nothing to lose. Did some sprints to open up and actually felt slightly better after an hour in the sun.

Picked up by Sam Allen, who had his team's car, we headed off for the 10 min (yes ridiculously local) journey to Caudan. Arriving we set about signing on. At sign on I saw a familiar face of Rhys Lloyd, Pendragon rider, who I'd ridden against a number of times as a junior. A good chat and catch up and we were soon off for a 20 min warm up round the 2 and a bit kilometre circuit.

Being a semi nocturne this circuit had to include loads of road furniture, corners and opportunities for sprinters..lovely. Made up of a drag past the finish, some fast left handers, another drag round the back and a roundabout it was pretty technical, a proper criterium circuit.

So 7:45pm and lined up. I was still not feeling all that with it and decided finish was my biggest aim.

The field for this race had some quality in it as well. Pole, Piotr Zielinski (VCP Lorient) former Bretagne Schuller rider and winner of numerous races out here, his team mate Simon Gouedard, one of the top Bretonne riders and winner of The Elite National Circuit d' Armorique earlier in the year, Florian Auberger (Hennebont Cyclisme) Bretonne TT champion and Lionel Beret (Leucemie Espoir Quimper) basically a kermesse king, lots of wins here and strong as an ox!

 There was also strong teams from UC Cholet and others. This was gonna be a tough one...just over 60 riders, 40 laps, over 160 corners, lots of primes and lots of sprinting!

Off we went and first lap was neutralised. I made sure I was riding it like an hours crit, so stayed in the top 15 or so riders and waited for it to kick off. Kick off it did as second lap and a break went. Rhys was in it as was Auberger and a couple of others.

Surprisingly I was feeling good, very good! So when Zielinski attacked after 2 laps I made sure I was on his wheel. Yet however good I felt I just couldn't match his acceleration and watched as he bridged to the break at lightning speed.

So 6 riders were away and the pace was on. With no Leucieme Espoir riders in the break and the team being a semi nocturne based outfit, they set about a hard pace on the front of the bunch. Soon cracks were appearing in the bunch as the sprinting out of corners and going for primes strung it all out.

I was feeling great though, sitting in the top 10 and even attacking a bit, not the best thing to do I would later find. So an hour done, 1 dog running out on us, 1 bouncy ball rolling into the bunch and only 25 riders left!

Still feeling good, even though it was a circuit that really didn't suit me, I followed the wheels and even went for a prime. Unfortunately Sam, who'd been suffering from the result of crashes recently had pulled out as had Rhys, leaving me the sole Brit, I had to do a ride, not for myself, but for National pride!

An hour done, normally in an evening race, you'd be finished...not here! We were merely half way through! By now the bunch was very small, the break, now of 4 riders, had got a massive gap, yet I was in good company with Beret, Gouedard and a number of Cholet riders and the whole Leucieme team in the group.

We were lapping riders at a good rate. Unfortunately this had its problems as riders were getting in the way and making a hard race, even harder! 10 laps to go and slowly my legs began to feel the constant sprinting and pain.

4 laps to go and the group blew to pieces! I was in the chase group of 8 or so going for 5th and basically hanging on for dear life! Then a problem, caused by me! Coming into the roundabout, a dangerous corner, yet done 36 times previously, I went to brake and found nothing happened, I panicked and slammed the levers..my bike skidded and did stop! Unfortunately skidding I barely avoided crashing and by doing this found a gap to the group I was in had opened.

Head down I tried to close it yet for the next 4 laps the gap hovered at a mere 15 or so seconds. I was clearly still going well as was holding off the group behind and holding the gap to the 7 in front, yet I was alone in no mans land!


Last lap and rolling across the line I'd closed the gap to the 7 in front to 5 seconds, absolutely knackered. Just over 2 hrs, so not that quick but nearly 1000 metres climbing, tonnes of sprinting and the last few kilometres alone. I had finished 13th and got some prime money.


Now for the main protagonists, Auberger had won after attacking and timetrialling the final 2 laps! Zielinski 2nd, Beret 10th, Gouedard 16th and the best Cholet rider 3rd.

To be honest after last few days, I am pretty happy with that.


Positives:

rode in the correct place, sat top 10/15 riders throughout and stayed on right side of splits

sprinting remarkably well

had really good legs

a good top 15 against some good riders on a less than ideal circuit for me


Negatives:

got too excited early on, did too much work and silly attacks and paid for it when it mattered in final laps

couldn't follow Zielinski, but then again nobody could!

So all in all, a surprising race for me and a really enjoyable one. One more to go on Sunday before my mid season break. Another podium or even a win would be nice!

a mixed couple of days

So after what Ive dubbed as the most dangerous race Ive probably ever done, at Trinite Sur Mer, on Friday evening, and with a 10th place and some primes in it, I was keen to improve on it in the next two upcoming races.

Saturday, as usual after a semi nocturne, I ended up getting near to no sleep, luckily no race Saturday. After such a wet race Friday night my legs were feeling a bit worse for wear so just headed out for an easy hour and abit in the sun.

Sunday, and after a massive 12hrs of sleep! I awoke to the sound of rain. Lovely. With todays race at Plouay, a mere 20 mins away and a 5:15pm start I had a very wet day to kill. Bit of reading, bike cleaning and generally lounging about. Now I wont even go as far as elaborating to much on this race as it was not very good to put it bluntly!

Made split, got ridiculously cold and wet and legs decided to stop working after an hour and a half and I was dropped! Literally had no choice but to pull out, dont abandon many races and usually hate it, but was so cold, even with racing in a rain cape I was freezing! Another race the day after, warm up, get some food in me and give it another go!

Monday, awoke again to more rain. At least I wont get homesick with all this British weather! I really struggle to stay warm in these conditions so was quite dejected already and it was only 9am! Today race was in Kerstran, a town near Auray.


Today going alone to race so went off again to pick up the team car. Riding to the team garage and although only a few miles ended up absolutely soaked! So car picked up and bike washed again (must be a record in last few days for bike washing!) A good lunch and off at 1:30pm for the half an hour drive to the race.

Of course driving a French car and a big one at that, kept me on my toes! Arriving at the town I signed on and got everything ready for what looked to be another wet and hard race. For today, myself and team mate Pascal for the team. After recently coming back after a mid season break, he told me he was feeling fresh and strong.

Raining hard I did 20 minute warm up as per usual. Legs were feeling pretty naff, maybe slightly better than the day before. It was a bit warmer as well which probably helped.

Race was 17 laps of a 6km circuit, a couple of drags, and lots of wind. Not much to it really. Still with a small field there was gonna be nowhere to hide today.

3:30pm and we were away. Feeling rough I decided to hide and just follow wheels. That soon went out of the window as after a few kilometres a break of 5 soon got off the front and built a 20 or so second lead. My team mate Pascal and another rider attacked and were in the middle between the break and the bunch. Sensing this was a serious move I waited and attacked in probably the most stupid place.. On a wet descent, mainly because I thought no one would be stupid enough to follow sure enough I was right and soon got across to Pascal and the other rider.


Unfortunately the next few kilometres were extremely painful as Pascal turned on the gas and we hacked across to the break. Bunch out of sight, 8 of us away, this looked good!

Working well together we drove hard and soon had 50 seconds, then a minute, with primes every other lap I made sure I was in a good position to basically not get dropped after them! Legs werent great but were OK and I kept gears easy as the rain and wind battered us. We were a workman like group and after a few more laps had 2 minutes on the bunch.

I'm no sprinter and with 2nd and 3rd places for primes I made sure I was on right wheel to pick them up, even won one, although think mainly due to other riders not realising it was a prime!


2 laps to go and was starting to struggle with the cold. Last prime and a VCP Lorient rider got it and kept his head down and soon had a gap. With 12km to go this was a dangerous move. Feeling pretty rubbish I explained to Pascal I'd work for him and he agreed. Unfortunately this meant it was down to me to close the gap! Head down I hacked and with help of fellow breakaway companions pulled the Lorient rider back.

But this was just the start of the fun as riders began attacking left right and centre. Knowing Pascal had a good sprint and the finish suited him I turned myself inside out to bring the moves back. It seemed to be working but with 1 lap to go I cracked!

Out the back of the break I was a few bike lengths off and in the red. Watching I saw attacks go and be reeled in again. This helped me and I just managed to get back on. Sensing it was now or never I sat on front of break and gave it everything with 3km to go to stop and more attacks. Yet it wasnt to be as (the eventual winner) attacked and gained a healthly 10 second gap. 500 metres to go and I'd pulled him back to a mere 200 metres on the final drag. I couldnt quite close gap and legs went. I was done.

Hoping it was enough, the sprint opened up, it wasnt enough as the escapee narrowly held the gap to the line with Pascal dying in final metres for 5th. I limped across the line 7th absolutely knackered from my last 12km of chasing attacks!

So not a good result for us. I did all I could but legs were just not there, too much wet and cold conditions for me! Still alot better than the day before and another top 10 and some money from primes. Considering how bad I felt the day before I dont think I could have done much more!

Now for a good rest before last couple of races before next weeks mid season break!

The most dangerous race Ive ever ridden!

I write after what can only be described as the most nerve racking race of my life!

It all began yesterday afternoon. Usually able to get a lift to a race this time I couldnt. This is no problem over here as it meant a quick trip to the team's garage where there are 2 team cars to use!


So meeting Sebastien at the garage he showed me how to open the various doors to the building and then left me to my own devices with a Skoda Octavia estate, left hand drive!


This was my first experience of driving a left hand drive car and it didnt begin well! After the first 50 metres driving along with the hand brake on, I got into the swing of things and soon was ok (although it took me another good hour to work out where reverse was!)

So all set for the evenings semi nocturne in the sea side town of La Trinite Sur Mer, a 45 min drive from me. Setting off and straight into the Hennebont rush hour traffic. After finally getting out of Hennebont I was on the motorway and away. Arriving at the town with an hour before the race.

Sunny skies and a strong coastal wind greeted me. The town, on a hill was a typical French sea side one, with a port, lots of restaurants and just a pleasant place to be. I was not here for all that rest and relaxation though..I was here to race!

Signed on and after a 20 min warm up, around 60-70 riders lined up for 50 laps of a 1.5km circuit. Now this circuit was quite possibly the most technical and dangerous circuit I'd ever seen.

A 500 metre or so climb with a cross/headwind every lap, A drag round the finish, 4 speed humps, cobble sections, loads of white road markings, loads of 90 degree corners and a very twisty and dangerous descent, all in 1.5km!

Setting off and I was right on the front. The organisers, realising it was a dangerous circuit kept the first lap neutralised. Second lap and the pace was on. One line, and I knew this was going to be a case of stay out near the front out of trouble. Within 3 laps the bunch had exploded. Out of the bottom corner I was struggling to sprint out of it and kept losing the wheel. This meant I was playing catch up on the climb...not a good idea!


After 20 mins at full gas. A split occured. I'd missed it, yet a split behind me had occured also. Around a dozen riders in the front split including my team mates Rene and John-Phillippe. Then there was myself and 2 others chasing. After 45 mins the gap was pegged at 15 seconds. Then the worst case scenario happened...it rained!

Not just any rain, torrential! With such a dodgy circuit, in the dry, you can imagine the carnage that followed in the wet.


The French are not known for their cornering ability and this was evident in the dry. In the wet however they were absolutely terrible. I'm not known for my technical ability, but I was gapping them with ease through the corners and within a few laps I'd got myself across to the front group.


Now around 15 of us out in front. Down the descent and my arms were beginning to ache after hitting the same speed bumps close to 50 times! The rain was not stopping and it was an ice rink as a rider crashed in front of me. Avoiding it I made sure I was at the front of the group on the descent  from then on!


Just over half way through and an attack went. I was cold. Very cold and although feeling strong I didnt have the jump to respond. Luckily my team mate John-Phillippe did and he and 3 others surged away. Soon they had built up a gap and due to the savage conditions our group was beginning to split, with Rene and a few others losing contact. Last 2 laps, and with the break established, I attacked hard on the climb. Struggling all evening on the climb I kept the pace over the top and dug deep. Yet it wasnt to be and was pulled back.


Then I did something very stupid. Last lap, we were going for 5th place. I attacked down the tricky descent. Getting a gap. Yet the flat 200 metres along the sea front meant they pegged me back and with 500 metres to go I was on the front of the group leading out the sprint...stupid mistake.

Head down, unsurprisingly the sprint opened up and riders sped past. I kept riding hard though and over took one or two on the line, thus finishing 10th. John Phillippe had done a great ride narrowly being beaten for the win, finishing 2nd.

I was much stronger than my 10th place finish but with a team mate in the break was a bit limited what I could do. Still with Rene finishing 15th, that was 3 in the top 15 and I even bagged a few early primes...so some pocket money!

To put into context how hard this race was there was a mere 20 finishers

So another semi nocturne done. Enjoying them now, although not enjoying getting back at 10:45pm and the lack of sleep after!



Really keen to improve on my 3rd place last week, I want that win and with a little bit of luck and bit more calculating hopefully it will come soon.

Next stop Plouay tomorrow...another wet one I think!

Saint-Jean Villenard; wet, attacking, hilly racing

I write after one of the wettest races Ive done in a very long time.

To be fair there hasnt been much to compare it with due to the fact I havent seen a drop of rain for absolutely weeks!

So the race...It all began by being picked up by Tony Mills at just gone 1pm. We had an hours drive to the race, which was in a town called Saint-Jean Villenard, just the otherside of Josselin. Off we drove and within 20 minutes the heavens opened up and the rain began.

After getting slightly lost on the way (thankfully Garmin came to the rescue!) we arrived with 45 mins to go. Parked up in a field I went to sign on. Now it was really raining as I set off for a 20 minute warm up round the course.

Todays race was a 5km circuit, with some big main roads, a 1km or so gradual climb and a short 200 metre kick up to the finish. It looked great for some attacking racing. Lined up for the 3:30pm roll out we had 18 laps to do, a short race again!

On the start line and I spotted some familiar jerseys in the shape of Pendragon and Team UK Youth, two British teams. Introducing myself I found it was James Mcaughlin from Pendragon and Chris Seviour from Team UK Youth. Also present was my team mate Rene, After a good chat, I nearly forgot about the start as we were waved away! 73 starters.

With a fast descent, a few twisty sections and very wet roads it was important to stay near the front and out of trouble.

After a lap and the legs were feeling pretty good. Following an attack over the climb I was soon away in a break. Around 8 of us which was soon joined by my team mate Rene and James Mcaughlin. Yet although working well together it wasnt to be as the bunch brought us back.

This was the pattern of the race from then on in as although with the relentless rain and rolling circuit the bunch werent happy to let anything get more than 20 or so seconds up the road.

This was until around half way in a crash occurred at the top of the hill, a nasty one at that, bringing 3 or so riders down and putting a couple in hospital. I had been riding well for the first hour yet the cold and wet was starting to effect me. I generally dont cope to well in it and thus was sitting a bit further back in the bunch in around 20th spot. Due to the crash a split occurred and soon a dozen or so riders had got a gap, leaving me to far back and thus missing the split.

Soon this dozen or so riders had pulled out a slender 20-30 seconds, race over?

It would have seemed so. Yet 3 laps to go and with the peleton chasing hard we got back to it. Now very cold and legs feeling rather stiff due to the rain it was a case of trying to slot into the right break with the least amount of effort!

Soon a couple of riders had got away and were dangling 20 or so seconds off the front of the bunch. 2 laps to go and they were still there, a lap to go and after a big dig by Rene it was all back together. 5km left the bunch down to 40 or so riders it was all to play for!

Over the finish line for the final lap and I put in an attack yet it was short lived, Last climb and with 2km to go. I hadnt been climbing well all race and to far back I watched as riders lost wheels letting a 6 rider group slip off the front. The peleton were hot on the heels and with 200 metres to go were back upto the break.

Sprint and with very wet roads and a very excitable peleton, I chickened out..

Over the line and to find James Mcaughlin had won! Awesome ride. After getting in the 6 rider split in the final couple of km he had won the bunch kick as well! He was clearly the strongest on the day and a worthy winner.

For me it was a bit of an average day, feeling strong until cold weather set in, getting in nearly all the right moves, just wasnt a circuit for attacks and a breakaway it would seem.

The only riders going anywhere were off the back as 40 finishers from 73 starters, rain throughout and an attacking race meant it was a tough afternoon.


Very keen to improve on my 3rd place from Friday and with a more attacking circuit, slightly better conditions and a bit of luck I hope this will be possibly sooner rather than later!

GP Saint-Jacques Semi Nocturne: Podium!

Welcome to my second semi nocturne blog. The first one was a bit negative, mainly due to a vast amount of roundabouts and sprinting round an industrial estate! As you can probably tell from the title of this one, it went slightly better!


The term semi nocturne I think is rather misleading as here they all seem to start 7:30pm or later and unlike the UK, where its usually an hours race, here they seem to range from 60km to 100km. This can be hard to get the head around, especially when your still racing flat out at 10pm.

At this time of the season there are a  lot of these semi nocturnes and last night was my second one.


Picked up by my team mate Sebastien and Sam Allen at 5;50pm we had an hours drive to the race, in a town called Sarzeau, by the coast. There seems to be a very French approach to timing here, as Sebastien actually was meant to meet at 5:30pm. So we had to hack!

Arriving at the race with 35 mins to go! Slightly pushing it for time. Signed on, kitted up and off for a few laps of the circuit.

A 1.83km circuit made up of a climb, steady descent and wide open finish. With all these semi nocturnes it was going to be flat out from the start. Warming up legs were ok, nothing special, just ok.


7:30pm and on the start line. Myself and Rene representing the team for this one. 60 or so riders lining up and 45 laps to race. Just over 82km.

It was a barmy 27 degrees, yet Sebastien told me one bottle would suffice, I wasnt convinced! So away we went and straight up the 500 metre or so climb. I was sitting 10 or so riders back and knew the block headwind on the climb would mean hiding was the best policy.

I wasnt hiding very long though! As half way up the climb a VCP Lorient rider attacked. After the last few weeks of getting stuck in the peleton and missing the break I was keen to get going, even if it was only 300 metres into the race!

Attacking I bridged the gap comfortably and glancing round as we crested the climb I saw we had a healthy gap to the bunch. Head down we began doing through and off. The Lorient rider was quite happy to do long turns and I made sure I did as little work as possible into the headwind finishing straight.

Soon another few riders bridged the gap and after half a dozen or so laps the break had swelled to 10 of us. The bunch were out of sight, we were working well together, could I have finally made the winning break?

Through the finishing line and riders began sprinting, a prime it would seem, yet through the whole duration of the race I couldnt work out when these primes were! Surprisingly I still managed to pick up some 2nds/3rds in them and thus got some money.

20 laps to go and my one bottle had been drunk! Luckily I managed to pick another up from Sebastien and Sam (both spectating) and with a couple of gels was feeling relatively good.

Soon another 4 riders bridged to the break, including Rene. We were secure and had a minute over the peleton which was now in numerous groups around the course. Soon we were lapping groups. Yet the break at 14 riders was not working that cohesively and soon riders were missing turns.

10 laps to go and I knew I needed to get away to have any chance of a result. Just as I thought this a rider ,from The US La Gacilly team, attacked hard on the hill. Sensing this was the time to go I attacked and got across. The break looked around and we were gone. Two of us away, just under 20km to go!

Riding hard we were soon joined by a LOIRE & SILLON CYCLISME rider. Three of us away we rode hard. Soon we had pulled out a 30 second gap on the chase group. 3 laps to go and the Gacilly rider was beginning to struggle. 1 lap to go and knowing the sprint was not an option for me I attacked hard on the bottom of the climb.

I got a gap, yet the short duration of the climb meant over the top the Loire rider got back on. We had though dropped the Gacilly rider. Under a kilometre to go and I sat on the Loire rider. A sprint was on the cards...great :(

300 metres to go and a bit of cat and mouse meant the Gacilly rider got back on. 200 metres to go and the sprint opened up with MARTIN FREDERIC of the Loire team getting it with ease and myself just getting pipped on the line by a wheel for 2nd.

So 3rd place for me.

 So there ended my best race out here to date, pretty close to getting away for the win which is a shame, but still a 3rd place in a semi nocturne, which on paper doesnt suit me, is very satisfying and very much needed for the head.

Onto the podium afterwards, a big bunch of flowers, a nice trophy and some prize money. Also managed to string a few sentences in French together for the interview on the podium!


Might be June but finally off the mark, lets hope theres more of this to come and if I can improve on it all the better!