The Bullet's Belgian Adventure
Day 7- Thursday, April 6
, 2006
GP Pino Cemani.
Off to Mons/St. Ghislain for the 41st Grand Prix Pino Cerami. This was a UCI Continental race and the security was
less than for a Pro-Tour event. The team
caravans lined up on a side street off the
Markt Square
and all were welcome to view their pre-race preparations.
This race was 177 km in
length with the first part through the flat Belgian farm land, followed by
six-12km circuits. The
circuit including a long easy climb and 2 brutally steep climbs. After watching 2 circuits from the finish
area, I set out to ride the course.
The first steep climb came halfway through the
circuit and was lined with people, who cheered CyclingRevealed’s old guy up the hill. A quick stop at the top to watch the race fly
up what I had just struggled to complete!?! The third climb was even tougher. If this is
Belgium
there must be a steep cobbled climb… and yes, here it is. Again the 20%+ climb was lined with cheering
fans.
Finally back to the finish
line I followed an old Belgian straight through the finish area, now over
flowing with fans. The Pros were now 5
minutes away. You could tell because
here was the car with loud speakers singing (over and over...!) one word RODANIA. This car preceded
the entire race and was the mark that the riders were approx. 2 minutes
away. “Demie
sipping” fans sang along as it passed.
The lead group was now in
site as one SKIL rider blasted off the front to take the victory. I stood in the team support area (approx. 300
meters past the finish) where the riders
started their post race cleanup. All the riders were quickly washed by sougniers the winner returned to the podium, the others
went to the team busses for post race discussions.
Back at the hotel Pro-Tour’s
Credit Agricole joined Francaise
des Jeux in Mont Saint Aubert. Thor Hushovd,
winner of Gent-Wevelgem is right down the hall. I knew this hotel was excellent when I
reserved it but obviously Pro-Tour teams share my opinion!!!
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