10.05.12

Taylor Gunman Update April 2012 - April has been a whirlwind month.

PureBlack Racing Taylor Gunman

I have been able to experience and race with some of the world’s best riders and nations. There has not had a chance to relax and sit down long enough to write any kind of reports until now.

My big aim for the trip was having the opportunity to race the Tour of Flanders. A dream race of mine which tests all aspects of the rider as a complete athlete but also involves a lot of luck, this is because it is not your normal race, it involves racing over hand laid cobbles on very soft dirt and are more than likely to be found going uphill if that wasn’t hard enough. It is a race that demands 100% from any rider. As a build up to the event we raced in local kermesse races which are 8-17km loop lap races which are about 120km long. With the body shock of spending 3weeks in the tropic of Malaysia and to then race full gas in the 4’c temperatures of Belgium I fell victim to a very bad cold which left me out of selection due to my health. Not the greatest way to kick things off, however I ended up being a last minute inclusion to the squad as one of the other riders also became sick, but I was seen as more fit for the occasion.

Flanders was an amazing experience to be had. It was extremely challenging and my wrist still acnes now when we ride any cobbles around our base. There was a lot for fighting spots with in the field leading in these sections of cobbles as no one wanted to be stuck behind another rider but also did not want to be on the front. It was total madness, but there was massive kick and rush to be had from it all. In the end I did my role and supported our protected riders through the race until it was lights out. For me I finished the race feeling as if there was unfinished business and would love to go back.

From there we have race several other Nation Cups races where national teams send their strongest riders to earn points for International ranking. We raced in France where I was still recovering from the cold but also crashed out 80km into the 180km race. From there only a couple days later we were in Holland racing another Nation cup where it was quite simply the sickness was still slowing me down like a ball and chain which ruined any chance and any ability to be competitive.

As a development team we then move on again and spent 4 days training in the hills of South Belgium in the Ardennes. The total complete flat profile of where we are based hasn’t been too productive for our climbing legs as we head into 2 hilly race, one in Germany followed by an 8 day tour in Ireland. During our stay in the French region of Belgium I raced in a stage of local tour. With the wind rain and hills it was a race more suited to my style. Spending the majority of the early part of the race off the front, I missed a small break that snuck up the road after I was caught. However this was a training race for me and it felt good to be the one driving the pace and being to race up hills again.

I am making great progress as I head towards the end of my short stint in Europe but the legs are building up for Ireland and Germany. As a typical European Cyclist would say, “the sensations are good” and the hard work is being put in with several training camps and block put in throughout our schedule.

Cheers
Taylor

AVANTI RIDERS