Breakaways at Bignan

Circuit de la Claie. The name of Yesterday's race and after a couple of weeks of flat kermesse like racing, a welcome change!

A 2:30pm depart meant again a morning of chilling out and trying to kill time. Luckily The London Marathon and Chinese GP was on the tv so my morning was filled! 1pm and Tony Mills senior and the Mills' family friend Alastair came to pick me up. Bike, kit bag and myself in car we were ready to roll.


A relatively short 20 or so minute drive to Bignan, a reasonable sized town the other side of Baud. Arriving and with just over an hour till race time I signed on, got changed and headed to meet my team manager to give him my spare wheels and the all important pre race briefing.

Meeting my manager he was keen to show me the map of the days racing and highlight areas of importance. In this case it was the Mountain Grimpeur climbs or KOM sprints. Five of them in total. He wanted me to try and go for them and thus began writing down a small essay on my forearm with each KOM and at how many kilometres into the race!


We then discussed who to watch rider wise. After the last couple of months I have realised unlike the UK where there might be 10 or so guys who could win the race over here there are a lot more possible victors! A quick look at the start list and two names were pointed out to me. A Lanester rider and a BIC2000 rider. Deciding my arm had enough ink on it I made a mental note of their race numbers for future reference!


A 20 minute warm up and on the start line we went. Big crowds again and a full podium with all the trimmings. Around 130 riders for 80km En Ligne then a finishing circuit of 6 laps of 6km.

Off we went and noting the very strong headwind I made sure I was sitting in the first 15-20 riders. Lucky I did, as after only a few kms the attacks were already going. I knew the race could be formed pretty early so followed wheels and after 8km or so found myself in a group of around 8.

 

 

finishing a bit dejected and pretty tired after a hard race

Soon we were pulling away from the peloton. A very strong wind meant everyone was giving it full gas. Noting Bapiste Haye, the leader of the Trophee Job Morvan series, was in the break I made sure I was on his wheel. This was for two reasons. 1. He seems powerful but steady and 2. with a massive headwind and Mr Haye being 6ft 7 I was able to get a nice draft behind him!

So another 10km of through and off ensued. Yet the bunch weren't willing to let the race go up the road, well not quite yet anyway. Soon we were caught and it was back to square one. Again making sure I stayed in the top portion of the bunch we soon hit the first KOM climb of the afternoon.

Glancing down at my arm I saw 22km was 1st one. A kilometre from the KOM and feeling good I thought I'd chance it. Yet soon a Lanester rider had jumped. Still with 800 metres to go it was early but I had to follow. Soon a drag race was on as the 20 metres or so the gap to the Lanester rider was not closing. Upto the line I sat up and got rolled on it for 4th! (always glance back before sitting up!)


So not the most successful KOMs and thus I decided the result was more important than trying to go for these hottly contested sprints. It wasn't in complete vain though as over the top and around half a dozen of us had managed to move clear from the now splintering bunch.

But little cohesion and the bunch were back on us. A lot of jumping about followed then into a block headwind section wheels started to be lost and feeling good I saw a gap and took it. Getting on a Vanne rider's wheel were were soon away and before long riders came across and soon around 20 of us were away.


Glancing back and bidding farewell to the peleton, I had made the crucial split. Now with such a big group there is always bound to be problems. With a number of VC Lorient riders and VCP Loudeac riders in the break and just myself from UCL Hennebont I was in no mood to be doing to much work. Unfortunately this was noted! After a heated discussion first in French then English with a rider (the eventual winner) we came to the conclusion I'd do a few more turns if he did.

60km in and we hit another climb. At last some roads I recognised as the climb was the one used for Manche Atlantique earlier in the year. With Tony standing on it I grabbed a much needed bottle as we surged over the top.

80km and we were on the finishing circuits and the temperature had really exceeded. Pretty warm I made sure I stayed top up on food and drink as we rounded the first finishing lap. With attacks going all over the place I was surprised to see around 15 riders come upto us making a group of 35. Not ideal.


The finishing loop included lots of wind and open roads but also a kilometre or so pretty steep climb, which of cause was lined out with crowds. With 3 finishing laps to go, it began to split. Now I'm not sure why but I was beginning to suffer. I'd eaten well and drank and legs still felt ok but I felt a bit worse for wear!

Soon a break had formed and were pulling away. 7 riders. 2 laps to go and still feeling pretty rubbish I knew I had to do something as such a big group meant a sprint was on the cards. Over the top of the finish climb and with 11km to go 2 guys clipped off and I gave chase.

A momentary lapse in concentration meant I was not quite onto the wheel and I soon was no where near the wheel as the two riders pulled away. I was in no mans land. Only one thing to do....hack! So thats what I did. With a massive headwind and open roads I buried myself, but I was suffering and although in 10th place on the road I knew I had a fight on my hands.


Last lap, 6km to go and caught by the chase group. Absolutely spent I watched as the chase group splintered. Into the finish, stomach cramping (need to eat less gels in the heat) and having given it everything I crawled across the line.


A few minutes later the remanants of the bunch rolled in. 68 finishers from 130 starters, a hard windy and hilly days racing.


All going well till 20km to go but just didnt have it when it mattered, just hope I do next time. Top 30 but not the result I wanted but a big learning curve again and seeing progression week by week can only mean before long I will get the result I know I deserve.

the bigger picture...

After ending last week feeling a bit strange and definately a bit tired. I was all prepared for my easy week.

Speaking to my team manager and team mate the consensus was less training is needed to race over here. They say around 12 hours and that includes racing. This is a bit of a vague number but one thing the first couple of months has taught me is to look at the bigger picture and what is needed to race over here.

Yes, it is nice to do well in every race but honestly if you don't have an amazing sprint or your not a David Chopin (local talent riding for Hennebont Cyclisme) you have to look at the bigger picture. In my case that's looking at races that suit me and prepare for them as well as I can. The races that don't suit me as much, well they are still opportunities for results but are also valuable for working on weaknesses.


So having a week taking it easier I have come to the conclusion I need to keep intensity and mix it in with recovery rides and making sure I'm fresh and ready for the next race.

So rather than plodding along for 4 hours plus I will split the 4hr session into maybe a few sprints, through and off with the team or some motor pacing.

Also another important point is letting recovery take its course after a race. I mean checking resting HR and adjusting training sessions accordingly. If im not fully recovered on the Tuesday another recovery ride would be more beneficial than say forcing the body to do a sprint session.

All simple things I know and all things that should come second nature, but sometimes with the desire to do well the bigger picture is lost and you get into a circle of training to try and race better yet infact just end up turning up to races tired.

So training evaluated I was in for a slow week! Slow, as other than a few recovery rides, that included crawling up the hills and spinning along admiring the amazing scenery, I had a lot of spare time on my hands!

Not wanting to sit infront of a screen all day I decided to get out and experience Pont Augan! That meant sitting by the river (ended up having a nap!) and chilling out in the bar as well as visiting the Mills' down the road.


Luckily I also managed to get a much needed haircut from Tony Mills, 2 months worth of hair removed!


So Saturday and the day before my race in Bignan tomorrow. En Ligne, meaning a big loop, with a finishing circuit, which is said to be quite lumpy! A relatively local race again but sure to be hard.


Rested up and feeling nice and fresh I cant wait to give it a go and hopefully show what a rested  and fully fresh Englishman can do!

Trophee Job Morvan Moreac Video

"Recuperation"

Recuperation...recovery, Something as cyclists we sometimes don't get right or for that matter dont get the balance right.

I am definately one for not always getting this right. Unfortunately over the last few days my body has reminded me of this!

So after last week feeling pretty lethargic on the very hot team ride I took Thursday off completely. Checking my resting HR in the morning I could see and feel I was tired and not right. Usually around 34bpm when rested it was hovering at 42bpm. A very lazy day was had but still feeling tired I knew this wasn't to be a quick fix.

A long 10hr sleep Thursday night and woke to find HR still around the 40bpm mark. I also awoke to feel as tired as I did when I went to sleep.
Not sure what to do as racing Saturday and Sunday I needed really to get a spin in today. After a morning debating what to do I headed out in the very warm sunshine for 45 mins very easy. Returning although feeling slightly better I still felt half asleep. A lazy afternoon followed.


Saturday

Awake and feeling the same run down self. I was off to Circuit d'Armorique, the otherside of Brest. Picked up by my team manager at 10:45am we headed to the team's lock up to meet my team mate Gurvan and his girlfriend and to pick up the team car.

Away we went and a 2hr drive ahead of us. Now neither my team manager nor team mate or his girlfriend spoke much English. This was a perfect opportunity to show them what I've got! (or not got) After a few broken exchanges I'd even managed to make a joke! Surprisingly the conversation flowed well and other than a few questions about certain words I was pleased to get immersed in the language.

Arriving at the race and it was a hype of activity as team cars, vans and riders milled around. A 2:30pm depart meant sign on, kit on, shake lots of hands and get out for a warm up. Off I went for my warm up yet within 10 mins I heard a hissing and realised I'd punctured, better now than in the race I guess. Back to the team car to swap wheels and continue the warm up.

Warmed up and very warm I was too (27degrees again today) I lined up with the 80 other riders for the start. 15 laps of 8.6km. Basically flat and kermesse like with lots of corners, wind and the Katusha feeder team! Off we went and boy did we go.

Soon up to 50km/h with Katusha lining everything out. I moved to the middle of the bunch and hung on for dear life! Through the first corners it was manic and coming round after 10 mins we'd already completed a lap! Quick was an understatement. Soon though breaks were forming and splits occuring. Unfortunately I was in no state to be participating in this rip up!

A mixture of sprinting constantly out of corners and the fact I still felt rather off colour I tried to hide and survive. Yet it wasn't to be.

After an hour the elastic split and I cracked. Back to the team car I was gutted. Changed and bike away I watched as the field ripped to pieces over the next 2 hours. With Gurvan finishing in what was left of the bunch, 15 or so riders, the time gaps were huge. Surprisingly the winner was a skinny 60kg Lorient rider actually not from Katusha at all! Just shows you don't need to be big to win a kermesse style race like this.



So a long drive back and a pretty big waste of time for me. Even if I was feeling 100% was never gonna be a great course for me but that's racing. A good talk with the manager about my "recuperation" and training and I was home, fed and ready for a good long sleep.


Sunday

To say I was worried after yesterday was an understatement. A 3:30pm race meant a morning of chilling out and trying to kill time.

Picked up by my team mate Sebastien , his wife and son at 2pm. We were off for the 20 min drive to Moreac for the second round of The Trophee Job Morvan Series. Again giving me plently of practise for my language skills! Arriving it was a much smaller affair than yesterday's Elite National but still is a big deal with a podium lorry, sizeable crowds and the ever present beer tent!


Parked up, off to "dossard" (sign on) where I completely forgot the French for number 85 and was given 45! A quick change of number and was off for a couple of laps warm up. Another 25 degree afternoon of racing lay in store. After 2 laps (just over 5.6km a lap) warm up I realised I'd been brought to another kermesse, A very flat one with the only thing not horizontal being the motorway bridge each lap!

Ah well at least the corners were more flowing. Big roads and not much wind, was gonna be a fast one!


128 riders lined up for the 18 laps. Lots of team mates present meant lots of hand shaking, kissing and "saluting!".


3:30pm and we were off! Moving to the front of the bunch I wanted to keep an eye on the series leader and guys who had been in the break the previous week. Wasn't hard to keep track of leader at least. At 6ft 7 and in a bright yellow leaders jersey he was probably the easiest man to spot! Following the wheels the pace was on. Soon a group of 6 or so got away. The race leader wasn't there so I stayed put.

With the series leader's team mates on the front of the bunch the pace stayed high and even though the break did go out to a minute after a few laps it was all back together. Positioning myself in the top 15-20 riders I followed a few attacks but nothing was sticking with such a high pace. Eating and drinking well we were coming into the last lap. The pace now frantic a split suddenly occured of 6 or so riders, dangling off the front of the bunch. I needed to get across, I had to do something, even if I wasn't feeling great.


Up the motorway bridge for the last time and 2 riders clipped off the front I jumped and got onto them. Soon we were doing through and off. Yet a cursory look round and the 100 rider bunch was only a few hundred metres behind. We were giving it full gas but so were they!

So 2km to go and caught. I was spent. Sitting up I got myself into the bunch. Into the finish and sprinted in mid bunch somewhere, tired but content I at least attempted to get away at the end.

Finishing it was a quick one, 44km/h average. A hot, fast race done.


So two races, two kermesses and two not very impressive performances. Although feeling better than yesterday I'm still not right.

Plan is a week of "recuperation" so keeping an eye on HR and very very easy and short rides or days off depending what body feels like.

A race in Bignan next Sunday. En Ligne (big loop) with a hilly finishing circuit. Hopefully will be more my cup of tea and hopefully after a week easy I will be fresh and ready to get that result I know I can get!

Summer has arrived en Pont Augan!

Suncream at the ready...summer has definately arrived over here in France.


It was getting quite warm at the race in Colpo on Sunday and then it really turned up a notch. So have I been making the most of this weather...of course, would be rude not too!


Monday:

For some reason over here I seem to sleep really badly the night after a race. Whether it be adrenaline still in me, too much coffee or the fact the races are in the afternoon and I end up eating late. Whatever it is I always wake up Monday morning half asleep! Still an hour easy spin and otherwise a day of getting jobs done, namely the weekly dreaded food shop.

Tuesday:

I am trying to target areas I feel I need to work on in races and tailor specific sessions around these. So the main area I have been struggling with is spinning that big gear, so leg speed really.

Also to work on my, ever very so slightly, improving sprint! So heading out I did half an hour steady and then began my sprints. I do 20 sec sort of jumps on a flat section of road. With 3 mins easy spinning in between. I'm looking for that initial jump and then to spin that gear. Managed 10 of these today. With a strong crosswind they were tough but then again they're not meant to be easy!

Next another hour steady and headed to meet Nick and Tony Mills who were to motor pace me. Riding back to the road where I did my sprints. I find this a perfect stretch of road to do both sessions on. This is mainly due to no corners, very smooth surface and pretty much flat 7km of road.


So off we went and the guys got the car upto 35mph to start with to see how it felt. With such a strong crosswind I knew the car wasn't going to give as much protection as normal. Soon glued to the bumper I was happy to notch it up a bit and soon we were doing 40-45mph with ease. I was working on spinning that gear and getting nice and aero behind the car.

After 45 mins of up and down the stretch of road we had topped out at 48mph and it was safe to say I was pretty cream crackered. Thanking the guys I turned and began ride back. Seeing Sam Allen riding towards me I tagged along and spent the last half an hour chatting and spinning down after a very hard and intense 3 hours  training.


Wednesday:

After Tuesday's antics I was slightly on the tired side. Still the last days training before easing off for the weekend's races. A morning of lounging about and then off to meet the team ride. Out I went and planned my usual hour/hour and a half before meeting them.


I started the ride with the climb upto Bubry and literally straight away the arm warmers came off. It was gonna be a warm one! A good hour and a half loop and I reached Languidic to meet the team. Already having drank a litre I filled up and got out on the ride. There were six of us all in an array of clothing choices! From shorts/shortsleeves to one even in a long sleeve!


Riding along and everyone wasmarvelling at the great weather. Seeing a sign saying it was 27 degrees only confirmed how unseasonal it was.

Now I usually like the heat but due to running out of places to put discarded kit I was stuck with my leg warmers on and thus feeling it! Hot that is and very lethargic! 4 hours, 125km done and 2 litres of drink down I was back home feeling half asleep and ready for food and some sleep. Whether it was getting overheated or the session on Tuesday (or a bit of both) I was feeling very sleepy! Either way a day off tomorrow needed!


Thursday:

Up early...not ideal on a rest day.. but needed to get bike to bike shop in Plouay (thanks Tony for the lift) after headset and chain decided they'd had enough! Great service from the guys in there and bike was soon fixed. Had a  quick Coffee with Tony before heading back.  An hours power nap and a lazy afternoon on the cards!



So what's in store this weekend?

Well firstly an Elite National race, The Circuit d'Armorique over the other side of Brest on Saturday. A circuit like race, rare for such a big race but at over 140km and with all the big teams present its gonna be a good one I hope!

Sunday, second round of The Trophee Job Morvan Series in Moreac (a mere 20km away). A more low key race 100km, another circuit and if the last 2 months are anything to go by another fast race!


So a packed weekend and I cant wait! Now to rest up and enjoy the sun!

kermessing in Colpo video

kermessing in Colpo

Belgium? No...still France but a very Belgiumesque day.


After the disappointment of The GP Super U on Wednesday I took an easy couple of days and after a light spin with a few efforts to open up on Saturday I was raring to go for Sunday's race.


The Trophee Job Morvan. A four race series, all relatively local and from what I can gather all on circuits. 11;15am and both Tonys and Nick arrived to pick me up. A relatively short half an hour drive to a town called Colpo. Arriving in the picturesque, very typically French town the sun was out, the weather mild and the town...quiet!


hmmm...Through the town we drove until we were ushered in to park in a school carkpark. First here it would seem. I do like getting to a race early but little did I know what was in store today!


So being early we decided to head into town and grab a coffee. Sun beaming down I was keen to get going and headed off to the sign on at the start finish line. Arriving there and there was a hype of activity as the start finish banner, barriers and even the beer stand was up. Lots of official looking people in Trophee Job Morvan logoed jackets were milling around. Not entirely sure where to go I asked one of them where to sign on. I was then promptly told I couldn't yet as my race wasn't until 3pm. It was just gone 12! We had misread the start time and had turned up in time for the cadets race!

So three hours early I headed back to the others to break the news. With this newly gained information I promptly went and chilled out in the car. After a bit of a wait I got changed, got bike in order and headed to sign on. Number on and ready to roll I headed off for a good warm up.

Being a circuit I was able to warm up on it and as it was 5.9km a lap I got a couple of laps in. Riding round warming up I noted a few things. One, there seemed to be a huge amount of down hill/tailwind sections. Two, A good few tight left handers and a very open crosswind section and three, the finish was a flase flat and very long windy section.

3pm. Lined up with 102 other starters for 17 laps. A relatively short race but with primes and a fast course it was sure to be interesting. Off we went and positioning myself on the front of the bunch as we rolled out I knew, with small roads, this was a race to be ridden in the first 15 riders.

front row on the line ready to roll..

One corner down and attacks were already flying. Following the wheels the bunch was soon in one long line. Attacks came and went yet the fast nature of the course meant nothing was sticking. The last few weeks I have been struggling to work out who to watch and what moves were dangerous. Unfortunately this was my downfall today as after another few kms a group of seven had forged out a lead.

The bunch though were in no mood to hang about.


Coming into the crosswind section and the pace was electric. I was struggling as well which didn't help. In the gutter I just couldn't seem to get that gear spinning whilst getting battered by the wind. Survival was the name of the game in this section of the course. The seven escapees soon had built around a minutes lead. The only action in the bunch were small groups making very little headway only to get brought back into the still lined out bunch. Riders though were pinging off the back at regular intervals.


Coming into 3 laps to go and I wasnt feeling great but knew I wasn't here to make up the numbers either. Coming into the finishing straight and into the wind I attacked and got a nice gap. Soon joined by three others we began working well together and were soon pulling away from the bunch. Yet after 5 or 6kms we were soon back in the fold. The bunch moved quicker than anything else on the circuit and wasnt going to let anything go (well except for the 7 riders in the break!)

Last lap and the bunch was half its original size. With the break now holding a minute to two minutes lead we were going for 8th. A sprint was on the cards..my favourite! Coming into the finish I was looking for a gap to launch an early one but the bunch eased into the last corner causing a crash right infront of me. Slamming on I came to a stop. Not ideal with 400 metres to go! Foot back in the pedal and I charged back into the remanants of the bunch and came across the line in around 30th place.

Race done, 100km, 44km/h average, lots of suffering into a crosswind, 50 finishers a lined out bunch and a doomed attack. This was not my day. Can't beat myself up to much as the circuit couldn't have been less suited to me but still I want that result and should have been in that 7 rider break. All part of the learning experience and today again highlighted areas to work on. Namely that top end speed!

Disappointed not to get a result and seeing it was still sunny and warm I put a few more layers on and headed off for the 30km ride home. Little did I know a block headwind all the way back! Luckily back I was greeted by Mrs Mill's great Sunday roast, perfect!


Still a bit more training making a solid if unfruitful day. A good week of training ahead hopefully, some motor pacing, sprinting and group ride all on the cards before an Elite National race on Saturday and the second round of The Trophee Job Morvan on the Sunday..

Lets hope the Belgium kermesse round of the series is behind me and I can pull out that much needed result in the next few races!