Dean Downing © Phil Jones

Three races in three days

Day 1 – Saint Pieters Leeuw

The first race was a pro race in Saint Pieters Leeuw and 167km long. Where me and brother Dean were well out numbered by chocolade jaques, every split they had at least ten or more guys in it which was making it hard to get anywhere with out a few of them with us. Well the race split and re-split, and going into the final lap I got in a break of about eight guys but then on the last of a 15km lap a group of ten or so came up with deano in it.

I was waiting for the big attack which I made with about 5km, taking with me three guys, but this didn’t go and as soon as I was back in the bunch deano was on it going straight over the top. Two choco jaques got to him but wouldn’t work, so that break was over as our race was about as well. It was close to the finish with deano finishing 13th, and I managed 16th.

Day 2 – Wolvertem Kermese

Day started bad for deano. Just joining the highway we heard a noise which was deano’s bike hitting the deck from the roofrack. Snapping is carbon bars and bending the chain. His race was over before it began. Onto the highway we went with the worm in the back on bike duty to see if we could get to the race with two working bikes.

The race

Normal Kermese style straight from the gun. 20 man break going with me and Cam Jennings in it so that was good. The first hour was rapido covering 46km which was mega fast. Things settled a little as guys got tired and then the proper action started. Guys going for primes and going hard after primes splitting the group with no joy of anything big breaking away from the break. So it was left to the last couple of laps.

A group of five went away and the rest of break couldn’t chase, so I made my move to go across alone which was mega hard as the front break was moving rapido. Anyway I got there and was just having a minute thinking when to make my move for the win, and someone beat me to it.
He attacked and I was the only one willing to chase but didn’t quite get him and he was away.

This was all on the last lap so things were on with me attacking with no joy, and the same with other riders. Two of us got away in the final km but just not managing to catch the lone leader. I won the sprint for second which I was happy with and also taking four primes on the way. The reward was some euros in the pocket and a very good workout which is good for the form. 2hrs 32mins for 115km.

Day 3 – Meise/Wolvertem Kermese

As some of you probably know the name of the cafe and street name and town is all you get for info on where these races start. As I wrote in my race title what we were looking for after the one hour drive to brussels. But no cafe to the name of new bistro could be seen in any of the two towns, Meise or Wolvertem. So it was only after asking about five belges who didn’t know where this place was that we thought we were doomed as wasn’t going to find the race.

Until we saw an old man sat on a stool outside his house on a main road who knew everything that was going on in the world. This chap told us where to go. This was neither Meise or Wolvertem but on the way to some place called Niewenrode or something. Anyway we rocked up at 14.40 and the race was on at 1500 so not much time to get going and on our way, but we had made it which was a bonus. Quick change and we were off.

We were off and away and the race was the same old stuff. With the wind being quite strong the race was splitting and re-grouping all the time. Not knowing which move was going you had to be in them all, which me and sulzy were doing good. I’d be away for a lap or two then sulzy would and that was the format of the race for a while.

Until three laps to go and it split with about 12 guys and looked to be riding away, but riders started to miss turns and me and sulzy were driving it but with not alot of joy and the peleton was gaining on us fast. Just as the peleton was on in the tailwind straight section I attcked and was clear – I was of on my own. I didn’t attack thinking I could ride away to the finish solo, I thought some riders would come across and that would be it.

Half a lap later this happened and we had two laps to go of a 9km circuit. There were six guys and we were working well with 18km to go, and were gone riding for the win. So it was over to me to pick my point to attack for the win. This came just past the finish as we turned a right turn just before the tail wind. I went so hard I was sprinting for what felt like 1km till I got a big enough gap. It was then head down, arse up, and into my rythm which was soon broken as I turned right into the stiff cross-wind and then right again into the stiffer head-wind to the finish.

But the wind didnt stop me as I had the victory in my sights. I was clear and up went the the shooters and it was win number 4 the fonz Another good win in the bank. Another pro kermese is on tomorrow so see how that one goes.

The form is coming, with Triptyque Ardennes and Kermese week I should be flying soon still searching for the big one apart from the National Road Road title and Triptyque, and 15 wins last year.

Watch out for more updates from the Downing brothers.