GVA Trophee Loenhout

Stepping out of the car at Loenhout and being greeted by a breeze which really stung any exposed skin (around 1 or 2 degrees I believe), I began wondering why I got myself into this holiday, and whether I would have prefered just staying in a warm bed instead. The course was pretty much dead flat, with thick ankle deep mud covering a third of the course. The course also included a tarmac straight, and some grassy sections, including a cross over bridge and these awesome pump track style whoop de doos.

On my practice laps I had an avg HR of 160, that was how hard you had to work to churn through the mud.
I crossed paths with German Yannick Mayer, who is a really nice dude, and he gave me some pointers with riding the mud. Tyre pressure. I had about 35psi in my tubs, which I thought was low. He was running 20! So we adjusted mine, and I have to say it made a fair difference. I also forgot my road wheel for the trainer, and he generously lent me his.
PIC
Loenhout is renowned for having some of the rowdiest fans, as there is no football on the weekend of the race, so they all get wild at the CX instead.

The start was along the tarmac straight, so we had a bit of time to establish a position. I moved past a few people right before the mud section and rode into it quite well, passing Kevin Pauwels, who had a big off. (He recovered to finish 6th, from last place at that stage, impressive!)
This race was a little more competitive for me. I managed to ride with another couple of people, and we swapped positions and scrambled through the exhausting mud for 4 laps, before being pulled with 5 to go. Turns out I finished 55th, from the 61 starters, and had at least 3 finishers behind me. I cant be too dissapointed with that, all in all a good day out, considering GVA Trophee is the next highest level of CX racing after the World Cup.

My pit crew included newbies Stevo "Stevros" Marsh and Frank "Mr 100" Suys, who performed exceptionally well and provided clean, lubed bikes without any hassles. As per usual manager Rose did an excellent job taking my jacket right before the start, making sure I had my asthma puffer and caffeine at the right time, and shooting some sweet pics.

Stevo "pro bike mechanic" Marsh

Upon returning to the car we found the team who is sponsored by a XXX shop's tent had detached from its tie down point and blown into Frank's car, breaking his window. They spoke French, we spoke English and Dutch, but we finally managed to sort out insurance papers and hopefully it will be all good.

Scored some gear from Sports2 Nutrition and Qoleum through a handy sponsorship Roeland has secured. Happy days!