In preparation for Trophée d’Or, I did 3 races in Belgium this wek, finishing 21st in Heusden (Gent) on Saturday, 12th in Puivelde on Sunday and 80th in Maria Ter Heide after a puncher 2 laps from the end.

The race in Heusden saw 77 riders on start, team Lotto, Vlaanderen, Kleo and Sengers taking the start with acomplete team. It was a very tactical race, in the first laps, I had some difficulties to stay all in front, but I tried to get in some breaks. Unfortunately for me, it was not the break I was in, that finally went through, but the one that went away just after we were caught back. In the final sprint I didn’t take a lot of risks and finished 21st.

Sunday in Puivelde we were 78 to start, almost the same as Saturday. My daughter Trixy was happy that the start was not too hectic and fast. The bunch let Sylvia Debboudt go away with a girl from Rabo Lady Force, but then the Kleoteam started to chase and in half a lap the flight was over. Followed alot of attacks all over the race, but until three laps from the end nothing would be successful.I tried my best to get away, but again, it was the break just after my attack that made it.Lensy Debboudt took the win a few seconds ahead of the bunch. I finished 8th in the sprint of the bunch and 12th overall, whereas Trixy finished at a good 35th place.

Tuesday in Maria Ter Heide it was over with a nice calm warm-up. The 1000 € race over the cobbles started at 100km anhour. A lot of dutch teams as well as Vlaanderen, Lotto and Kleo made the race very tactical and except for a longer break from Latoya Brulee (Vlaanderen) no one would really get away. I tried it myself a few laps from the end, but the signs were standing for a massive sprint at the end. I felt really easy on the bumpy cobbles, but in second-last lap, just after having moved to the front on the cobbles, my front-wheel suddenly felt so strange and I had difficulties to keep my bike on the road in the turn : puncher ! I had to let everyone pass and wait for the neutral car. After this « pit-stop », I struggled hard to get back to the bunch and for a few metres I did it on the start-finish-line, but as there was a sprint, the bunch accelerated again and I had to do another lap on my own just behind the bunch. Disappointing result, but nevertheless good race !