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Belgium is, indisputably, the homeland of cyclocross. The programs are iconic and brutally onerous. The followers are passionate and devoted. And, throughout per week or so in December, there may be racing nearly each single day.
So what occurs when a small staff of Canadians lands in Belgium within the midst of all of this? Broad Avenue Breakaway, a brand new Vancouver Island staff, did precisely that and came upon. Together with techno, weirdly harmful vacationer sights, they discovered complete lot of studying alternatives, in addition to the steel half of an entire bunch of break pads.
After we first talked to Fabian and Andrew, racer, mechanic and co-leads of the BSC Breakaway challenge, it was simply after nationals and simply earlier than heading abroad for Christmas racing in Belgium. At the moment, they have been each clear that this was very a lot a studying 12 months. Whereas each have expertise in European racing, supporting then Girls’s Continental street program Instafund LaPrima, cyclocross is its personal beast. We needed to listen to how the experiment went, what was realized and what it’s like being thrown into the combination on the peak of the European cyclocross season.
Canadian Biking Journal: You’ve been to Europe for racing earlier than, however on the opposite facet of the tape. How did racing examine to your expectations?
Fabian Merino: It was unreal. The followers are wonderful, very supportive and engaged with each single rider. It’s actually a distinct sport over in Belgium. The programs are so completely different than what we’re used to however so enjoyable.
CCM: What was surprising about racing in Europe vs. what you’ve raced nearer to residence?
FM: The primary lap canine battle was considerably anticipated however nonetheless onerous to think about and put together for it. 80-plus folks desirous to be high 10 by way of the primary couple of corners made it tremendous hectic. It’s simply carnage. Individuals on the bottom, hooking bars a number of instances, folks pushing you ahead as a result of they wish to be within the rut you’re in… it’s significantly a don’t assume simply do scenario.
CCM: Do you’ve a favorite race from the Christmas interval?
FM: The Precise Cross Loenhout – Azencross. It was so muddy and the course was completely destroyed by the point we raced. There was an enormous crash firstly which was brutal, however in any other case I had lots of enjoyable. I really like an excellent messy course. It makes it enjoyable to simply put your head down and proceed pushing. Additionally, Diegem. That was so particular. So many individuals spectating and engaged with the race and racers.
CCM: Did you get the prospect to spectate in any respect? Or was all of it racing?
FM: We went to the Antwerpen World Cup to observe. It was cool to see it from the spectators perspective but in addition insane to get wherever close to the barrier to observe. There are such a lot of folks watching.
CCM: From a program perspective, a part of this journey was to realize expertise. However have been there any areas you have been higher ready than anticipated?
FM: Our race day strikes have been actually good. The truth that Andrew and I’ve labored collectively in these conditions helped quite a bit. It was very clean packing and travelling to and from races. The opposite actually essential a part of the journey that went effectively was the tools. We had Easton, Abus, and Muc-off supporting us by way of the journey and it was excellent. The Easton wheels have been a life saver for us, and my Abus helmet saved me from a concussion on the Superprestige Heusden-Zolder.
Andrew Flowers: General I used to be happiest with how the tools held as much as the pains of racing in Belgium. Exterior some severely worn brake pads, there was little or no which wanted consideration. We completed the block with no flats whereas racing (one whereas coaching), and no main mechanicals.
I feel it helps coming from the West Coast, and partnering with manufacturers which construct elements for our climate at residence. Particularly, we went the complete season with out changing hub bearings, which is a testomony to how well- sealed the Race Face hubs are.
CCM: Was there something that caught you off-guard?
The climate was troublesome. I’m used to rain, having labored outdoors in Victoria, however even nonetheless it was robust. It was darkish and raining many of the days we have been in Belgium. I’d be moist for hours working the races, even with full rain gear. Many of the package the athletes used won’t ever be absolutely cleaned.
The mud is vicious. Belgium has a lot of sand within the soil, which did a quantity on clothes and brake pads. Even with two bikes we have been seeing full units of brake pads worn in a single race day. Subsequent season I’ll journey with extra brake pads, in addition to another put on objects. I can even get a head begin on securing cleansing provides abroad, as with out entry to an influence washer and air compressor it is rather troublesome to maintain the bikes working completely.
CCM: So, what did you be taught that you simply’ll change for the longer term? What are the takeaways from this 12 months?
AF: I feel the largest factor I can take away from this season is confidence in our program shifting ahead. Anytime you do one thing like this for the primary time there’s a danger it doesn’t pan out. We completely made errors, however I really feel as if we realized from every of them. The staff gelled effectively, and I be ok with the riders we’ve got for subsequent season.
With our first season out of the way in which, I do know that on the very least we are able to do it. A 12 months in the past, this was merely an thought, now we’ve got a tangible product we are able to put ahead. Beginning a staff is rarely straightforward, however we’re lucky to work with nice business companions and sit up for rising with them for seasons to return.
FM: We’d like extra tires! Soil and situations are very completely different there. Additionally bringing some rollers or trainers is a should.
CCM: Going abroad additionally requires diving into one other tradition. Have been there any surprises in that sense? Or any methods the Belgian tradition led to variations within the race surroundings?
Belgium has a little bit of a fascination with self-accountability. An instance is we went to the Gravensteen, a citadel in Ghent on certainly one of our days off. We booked a tour to stroll across the inside and, seeing as our time slot was 6 p.m., it was darkish. All through the citadel there have been a number of important drop offs, together with just a few instantly after exiting doorways. To my shock, none of them have been roped off or marked. Make a unsuitable step, and you’ll fall a number of meters at greatest. This was a shock coming from North America, the place there would have been at the very least ropes as much as present the place the sting was.
You see this mentality elsewhere, too. Like the way in which the racing works: nothing is equipped. You deliver your individual energy, water, and many others to every race. I’m uncertain if I discover stated system higher, however it’s positively a shock.
One other instance can be the Belgian love of techno music. Though I knew it getting into, it’s at all times a shock to listen to Tiesto following Alanis Morissette on the radio whereas consuming lunch. The races really feel like events, however everybody appears to be having a superb time.
CCM: To wrap this all up, the place are you now as a staff in comparison with earlier than the journey?
FM: We’re working onerous on getting every part organized for 2024. We have now a growth program deliberate that features a number of disciplines equivalent to cross-country, gravel and cyclocross. There might be just a few extra riders concerned which is nice, however it’s positively onerous to place it collectively. Particularly when there aren’t that many people engaged on it always. We have now good intentions, simply want a bit of extra assist for our athletes shifting ahead. Dwell and be taught!
I wish to thank our sponsors for the 2023 season: Kevin Koetke, Broad Avenue Cycles, Abus, Muc-off, Boomtown, Foo, Jim Pattison Lexus Victoria, Parc Methods, Degree Floor Espresso Roasters and Cervelo. This challenge couldn’t have occurred with out all of them.
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