Okay, so it’s been a while since I have spoken about racing. It took a while for me to be able to race in Belgium because of the French being very French about cancelling my French licence, and for that reason I could not get a professional licence from British Cycling. Eventually, it arrived and I was able to race. So, first race...... (I apologise in advance if any of this sounds in any big headed, but this is how I did in each race and how I actually felt.) Aarschot Pro Kermesse – It was my first race in 2 weeks because of the delay of my licence and i was worried about my from. I needed not to worry. It started in the relative dry and I was happy about that because the race was going to be 180km. The start was lined out for about 20km, because the big teams were driving to split it up as there was a fair head wind. It felt comfortable, it was really hard, but at no point did I think I was going to get dropped. We got to 100km and the temperature dropped to negative numbers and it snowed and hailed, lots, and I got so so cold. A lot of guys could not cope with it. This weather does not really bother me to the point of whinging about it because everyone gets the same conditions and I’m already racing. We got to the local laps of 10km and we had 4 to do, each with accents of a 15% climb. It was hard. The local laps were really on, and I made it again into the front group. I was with other guys from the team, 2 of them, and I did not feel too good so I was making pace for a fair while. I got to the finish, which was up the climb, and tapped up it because if I sprinted for it I would have seriously blown. I finished, very very cold, and in 30something place. Very promising as it was my first pro race.

UCI 2.2 stage race – Boucle D’Artois, France – The first day was long, 180km. The pro races start so hard. We sat at 50kph for the first 2 hours. Attacks were coming from everywhere. The pace would not ease off. I was sitting near the front and it was easier following attacks than sitting in, so that’s what I did. The reason being; if you are one of the first to follow the wheels you accelerate to 50kph and no more. If you are in the middle of the bunch you accelerate to say 54ish kph therefore using unnecessary effort, this is increased the further back you sit, essentially because the bunches are 200 guys. Anyway, I got a kicking on the finishing circuit and finished about 1min down from the leader....GC over! The next day was a morning 90km stage and the afternoon a 90km stage with about 12 accents of hard climbs. Morning was excellent. Had fantastic legs. Waited until the local laps. Got to the corner onto the laps first and accelerated flat out of the corner, which was up a slight climb. Only one guy held my wheel. It felt like I was floating on the bike and was 20km to the finish. Turns out, I was with one of the high placed guys so I only lasted out front for 10km. I was gutted. I was convinced I had the legs to do a really good ride. So, I got pulled back and I could not sprint because I weigh 64kgs and it turns out guys at about 75kgs and more are very big and I was quickly muscled out of the front. I will learn how to stay there very soon! Afternoon was a disaster. Legs were awful, on a par with a day I once had in Wales and there is a handful of people who know how bad that was. So, I got smashed. I pulled out with 10km to go. It was a circuit with a massive hill. I do not need the k’s and I’m not racing for last place either.

UCI 1.1 Drenthe, I quote “Holland’s paris-roubaix,” masses of cobbles and huge prestige in winning. You realise how big the race is when you turn up and there is Rabobank, Milram, Barloworld, Mitushibishi, BMC – the winning team from tour of California, willems verandas, and the guy wearing the UCI Europe leaders jersey. It will be a hard day then! If you finish you do 209km. Had fantastic legs. The race was so nervous with everyone wanting to be at the front. At one point I was riding on the drops with peoples bars on both of my hands at the same time! It was very, very tight. Flat out from the gun, but had legs. After 80km the split happened. The Race split apart. A long, wide road with a cross head wind. Found myself helping to pull the second echelon to the front one at about 55kph. Just about to make the connection so there would be about 50guys in the front group. I punctured. Tried to keep riding on a flat tub but it was just too hard. Our car was behind the dropped guys and about 2mins back. Race over. Got a wheel change and got back on to the grupetto, and that was it. After 100km race was over for us and we did the 70kms back to the finish for the k’s in the legs. The final bit about me is I have a small injury. Because my legs have grown so quickly I cannot do enough stretching to get them loose enough. Therefore, my right ITB band has become really tight and is twisting my knee cap. It hurts. So, this week I will get some injections and some trigger point therapy and I will be just fine. Sorry this was so long! I will keep more up to date. For all you poor souls who got to this point....I’m sorry! Also, thank you...Still love you! Matt

Pictures from the Boucle D'Artois