Hey All,
Hope all is well. Just thought I would let you know how things have been going and how they are going. I have done 3 races since I talked to you last and 2 of them went well. The 3rd wasn't so good but that had something to do with racing the day before.

The first race was GP van Geluwe 1.12 and I was told at the beginning of the race that "even though I had to race the next day I was racing to win". It all went good and they were about 19 riders out of the 220 left with 2 laps to go. It was a hard race with the heat and the wind but I handled it. The only problem for me was, every break I was apart of was brought back. I think too many of the good riders know who I am and were not letting me go anywhere with out them.

Anyway me being the marked man left options open for the rest of the team. The last attack of the day saw 7 riders go away with 3 from the team so I wasn't going to chase. We still came away with the victory though. It wasn't me who won but it worked out good for the team. Once they got away I was left keeping the rest of the strong guys neutralised. That became hard work and in the end sprinting for 8th place wasn't looking inviting so I just rolled in for 12th.

The next day was Oetingen 1.2, with the pros. It was a race I was capable of doing well in with all the cobbles but 170km of hard racing the day before left me swinging after 100km. I was dropped not long after that. The problem I am having with the team at the moment is... They are becoming "Continental" next year and therefor have to drop some riders. If I don't get a contract I would like to stay with the team. All the directors from the team like me and know what I am capable of and selections for races become arguments on who gets me for their race. Hence 2 big races in a row. I dont want to argue or say no because I want to stay in the good books.

After a couple or recovery rides I raced again, but this time it was just a kermese. Anyway all the big names from kermese racing were there and also a couple from Palmans. It went good with a lot of riding in the gutter with the cross wind. After about 30km it began breaking up into small groups. I was caught in the 3rd group when it happened. While the gaps were small I jumped up to the 2nd group and rode straight past them to the 1st group. It was hard work but I was still in the race. We rolled around and around and slowly the lead group got smaller. With 4 laps to go 2 guys attacked but both had team mates. After a while I realised they were not going to chase so I attacked and bridged across. Again I was marked and because I was there the break was coming back.

The others realised they were being brought back and sat up, but I kept going. Alone. I was kind of hoping a few would come across but they were just happy to work to bring me back. I was caught at the beginning of the last lap. As soon as I was caught 2 others counter attacked. I had nothing to go with it or shut it down so I was hoping the others would do that but they didn't. they were out to about 20secs so when I recovered enough I attempted to bridge across again, but 2 of them were moving faster then me and kept pulling time. But then both guys were ex Pros. I held of the chases for 3rd place.

Anyway that's all that's been happening so far. I have a few more big races over the next few weeks so will keep you posted with how they go.
regards
Clinton Avery