Intermission
In many ways, the end of camp seems like an intermission as many of us return to Izegem just a few weeks from now for the big dessert (pre-worlds camp and worlds). But for the fifth year, the camp is indeed in the books and most of the guys are home now readjusting and back at school today.
Nick Weighall fighting his way on the run up at Zeddam. Photo ©: Cycling-pics.be
St Niklaas is always a good end-of-camp race because it’s a bit mellower for not being part of any series. Case in point: I spent some time with Sven at his camper while my juniors were out on their pre-ride and I asked him if he could stop by to say hi to them if he had a chance. He said he would eat first and then be over. At a bigger race, this would be an improbability given how many hundreds of onlookers park themselves outside the door of his mobile home. But at St Niklaas, our plan was doable, so I gave word to the soigneurs to be on the lookout for the boss of cross.
But how goes the saying?–”The best laid plans are just good intentions”. Something like that. By the time Sven came over, I was headed to the pit (at St Nik, the pit is literally half way around a big lake) and the juniors were headed to the line. Noel, who had just arrived with the elites, hadn’t been informed so his jaw just about dropped when this guy in Rabobank kit comes pedaling across the dewy athletic track infield to where we were parked. Noel is thinking, what’s Sven doing at our vans? Noel and I got a good laugh later, and fortunately, some of the espoirs and elites were there to meet the greatest cross rider in history. You won’t find a more gracious champion either.
Geoff and the Boss, Sven Nys back last summer.
After we got some pre-race registration challenges sorted out (some of our guys didn’t yet have their 2008 licenses), it was time for the junior race, a first-time offering at St Nik and our guys didn’t disappoint. Gavin Mannion was in 3rd with a lap to go and Eric Emsky was close behind along with Steve Fisher and Clayton Omer. All these guys ended up top ten which was very encouraging. And the rest of the juniors seemed to put it together as well.
In the U-23/Elite combined race, Ryan Trebon actually led the race early on but faded and all the other guys had strong end-of-camp races. Go to results link to see some of the progress these guys are making. Then it was boogie on homewards to pack, shower, change and go out for a wee few frites and steak at a local restaurant. I made a quick toast thanking everyone, Noel and Els, all the mechanics and soigneurs and their spouses, and the riders. What a good bunch of riders and people! Thanks guys for your hard work and camraderie!
Where would you be without a good pit crew? Nick Weighall (Rad Racing NW) & Carson Miller (Fred Meyer) have their bikes lovingly cleaned in the pits at Otegem. Photo ©: Cycling-pics.be
I always love the end of this team dinner because after the main course, there’s plenty of talking and visiting, with everyone circulating and saying their bonded goodbyes to each other. Throughout the visiting and joking around, there’s this great sense of anticipation on the riders’ part that dessert is coming. But Noel and I have a thing about sweets and riders. As the Belgie cyclo-lore goes, let them leave the table a little hungry. It will make them stronger.
Now if I could just figure out a way to put the clampdown on the riders’ predilection for The Wall and all of its indulgences. Not the very least, Mitch Peterson’s penchant for quarts of ice cream!
Tot ziens! Bedankt voor alles!