Ok well I have been out of commission for some time now. After getting back home I needed a little time to decompress as well as get everything else in order that has been ignored since leaving for Europe three months ago. With all that aside, Gent was some of the most exciting racing that I have ever done on the track. The field was a very international mix with riders from Great Britain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Holland, and America. Consequently, there were a fair number of new faces that I didn’t recognize so I wasn’t sure of what to expect once the gun went off.

I quickly found out was in store for me when I was going full throttle ten laps into the event. Looking over and seeing about 200 laps to go was not exactly a happy moment. The beginning of races have always been the worst for me though. I take a while to really get going. So at the start I always need to flog myself but by halfway through, when others are really starting to hurt, I’m roughly the same as when we were only a quarter of the way into the chase.

This was definitely the case throughout the first few days at Gent – but these guys didn’t seem to start to hurt halfway through the madisons! It truly was full on the entire time. If you were going to try and get sprint points, you had to be full gas five laps before the actually sprint. Granted that Gent is a 166m velodrome but that is still equal to 2.5-3 laps full out at T-town.

The speed was a bit of a struggle. And, honestly, there was not a lot I could have done differently. Neither Jackie or myself were fighting enough to stay in the first three or four teams but I don’t think that the strength was there to maintain the position – or defend it for that matter. Very disheartening.

Still it wasn’t like we were being blown out of the water, but we were really targeting this event. Both my Dad as well as Jackie’s father came over for the event so there was also additional incentive to perform well. You always want to put on a good show for your parents!

When looking back on the UIV Cup in Gent, I noticed several differences. Firstly, it held the most importance and was on the biggest stage. Consequently, it attracted the best field yet and each team out there was hungry to get a win – whether it was just for the night or the overall. Furthermore, this led to constant attacking and an aggressive racing style that kept people right on the rivet the entire night.

When I reflect on it now, it is great to think of the crowds and just the sheer magnitude of it all. The place was packed! The infield was a sea of grizzly old Belgians drinking beer and watching the races while the stands were teeming with thousands of spectators screaming for their favorite riders. It was much different than any of the events in Germany. There weren’t any colored lights or other theatrics – people were there to see the bike racing. We were no longer a part of the entertainment, that also included musicians and other acts, but THE entertainment. I guess that is why Gent felt, and still feels, like such a special race. I don’t know any other place where cycling is revered and loved like in Belgium.

Happy Holidays!

David Wiswell

www.echappeonline.com

Photos:

Jackie and I warming up before one of the nights.

Trying to relax before the racing starts.

Getting the last little things together before racing starts. Adjusting the shorts after having the legs rubbed down.