NICK MULDER RACING
A story of a young cyclist following his dream...
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Today was my first u23 classic, a 170km race through the Dutch polders.
To cut to the point I rode well and attacked the field after 167km and
bridged up solo to a 17 man break to ultimately finish 11th. Pretty
happy.
We had to ride 2 large loops of 65kms and 2 smaller ones of 20kms.
The race itself was extremely sketchy, 200 testosterone loaded guys all aiming for that one shot at becoming pro. Opportunities seem to outweigh the risks in these cases, explaining the many crashses, including my crash in the first 3km. The rest of the race was a fight for position with the crosswinds tearing the peloton into groups, no matter how strong you are you have to ride in front, with 200 riders this is never easy.
After crashing the race was neutralized since it took place on an extremely narrow road with water on both sides, luckily I fell flat on top of some other riders whereas the unluckier riders went for a nice dip - head first. The number of jokes alone would have made me abandon, algea covered bikes. It was a hilarious sight.
Once we got going again, my expectations had hit an all time low. But I quickly forgot my deep cut as I stormed from 200th to 50th in one pull. Always makes me feel strong
After resuming my position in the front the attacks were non stop but the wind was throwing everyone in the gutter and all were nuetralized. As the tempo increased 50-60kph at times it was obvious the first race decider was about to happen, yes the turn onto the dike. I was around 40th not ideal but safe for now. Turning onto the dike the wind was a smack in the face, and as expected the peloton was broken up. I managed to sneak into the front group as it broke right behind me. In the end 20kms later a second group came back and we were close to 100 strong.
The same story for the next big lap and small lap. Fast forward to final lap.
My legs feel great, I tell my team mates and they take me to the front. A group of 17 are off the front with 30 seconds and only 10km to go. Attacks are flying and Im in all of them. I feel like im flying, but then the turn onto the dike and I get cut off forced back 20 spots. Damn, I realize time is running out to move up and start fighting hard to move up. Luckily a (big) team mate clears the way on the right side of the dike and I move up on his wheel. Then a strong attack goes from the rider that won the first u23 classic two weeks ago. Thats my ticket.
I jump aboard and he rails it for 2kms but then dies, I attack with everything I have (hit 1300w) and then railed it 2x as hard, within 1km I had closed the gap to the breakaway. Wow, suprising myself, I just sit on, take a breather. @*#$&@* theyre starting to sprint, I try my best to move up but its already been 1km to go and its a full on sprint, I dont even feel my legs and pass 6 guys to get 11th. Great result as a first year but really wishing I had realized the sprint was coming up. Could have won!!!! Oh well, im motivated now more than ever to train hard and win!!!! Monday I race in belgium.
Thanks for reading. By the way, Holland was extremely a-typical today - it was high 70s and extremely sunny - no rain. Wow
301w NP for 4 hours. In case you were wondering
We had to ride 2 large loops of 65kms and 2 smaller ones of 20kms.
The race itself was extremely sketchy, 200 testosterone loaded guys all aiming for that one shot at becoming pro. Opportunities seem to outweigh the risks in these cases, explaining the many crashses, including my crash in the first 3km. The rest of the race was a fight for position with the crosswinds tearing the peloton into groups, no matter how strong you are you have to ride in front, with 200 riders this is never easy.
After crashing the race was neutralized since it took place on an extremely narrow road with water on both sides, luckily I fell flat on top of some other riders whereas the unluckier riders went for a nice dip - head first. The number of jokes alone would have made me abandon, algea covered bikes. It was a hilarious sight.
Once we got going again, my expectations had hit an all time low. But I quickly forgot my deep cut as I stormed from 200th to 50th in one pull. Always makes me feel strong
After resuming my position in the front the attacks were non stop but the wind was throwing everyone in the gutter and all were nuetralized. As the tempo increased 50-60kph at times it was obvious the first race decider was about to happen, yes the turn onto the dike. I was around 40th not ideal but safe for now. Turning onto the dike the wind was a smack in the face, and as expected the peloton was broken up. I managed to sneak into the front group as it broke right behind me. In the end 20kms later a second group came back and we were close to 100 strong.
The same story for the next big lap and small lap. Fast forward to final lap.
My legs feel great, I tell my team mates and they take me to the front. A group of 17 are off the front with 30 seconds and only 10km to go. Attacks are flying and Im in all of them. I feel like im flying, but then the turn onto the dike and I get cut off forced back 20 spots. Damn, I realize time is running out to move up and start fighting hard to move up. Luckily a (big) team mate clears the way on the right side of the dike and I move up on his wheel. Then a strong attack goes from the rider that won the first u23 classic two weeks ago. Thats my ticket.
I jump aboard and he rails it for 2kms but then dies, I attack with everything I have (hit 1300w) and then railed it 2x as hard, within 1km I had closed the gap to the breakaway. Wow, suprising myself, I just sit on, take a breather. @*#$&@* theyre starting to sprint, I try my best to move up but its already been 1km to go and its a full on sprint, I dont even feel my legs and pass 6 guys to get 11th. Great result as a first year but really wishing I had realized the sprint was coming up. Could have won!!!! Oh well, im motivated now more than ever to train hard and win!!!! Monday I race in belgium.
Thanks for reading. By the way, Holland was extremely a-typical today - it was high 70s and extremely sunny - no rain. Wow
301w NP for 4 hours. In case you were wondering
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