Isle Of Mann & Belgium Youth Racing Blogs

Posted: 18 May 2011

Developing young road riders is a long process. To go from an inexperienced young rider to accomplished professional, take years of deliberate and pain staking evolution. One of the best examples of this, is the way in which Olympic Talent Coach Mark McKay helped the youths and juniors mature and grow by exposing them to the cut and thrust of International racing.

During Easter, Mark McKay, Head Coach of the Elite Athlete Programme Graeme Herd, Team Manager Scott Couch, and ERC Coach Brynley Davies were on hand to supervise a group of Youths and Juniors over a 13 day road trip to Belgium and the Isle of Man which would acquaint the striplings with exhilarating high quality competition.

The group were taken firstly to a hilly part of Belgium, near Liege, to compete in the Haspengouw Tour and Ster van Zuid Limburg stage races, before the long haul back to the UK and over the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man Youth Tour.

Personally, I think the best way to describe the action, is not for a coach or manager to write from their point of view, but for those who have the best perspective about what actually went on from inside the races themselves, so, I have transcribed a few mini race diaries from a few of the young riders below. Enjoy.

Hamish Carrick (U16)

Saturday, the first day of the Belgium Stage Race.

Woke up feeling so nervous for todays stage. We arrived in the start town of Herk de Stad, feeling like a pro with the Scottish Cycling van. Scott (Couch) went off to sign us on, leaving us to relax and stay calm, we played some beats from the van, which pumped us up to smash some Belgians in the savage course ahead of us.

Numbers pinned, and guns primed; ready to race. The start was crazy-fast, but settled down after around a km. It was different racing here, it meant so much more to them, so all the locals jumped pavements and rode through fields just to gain another position in the bunch. I was dropped but managed to finish.

Stage 2 Bilzen Hilly Stage Circuit - Feeling legs today. It was a peaceful start town, bar the 150 Youth riders nervous at the star. Once again the start was fast, but this time neutralised. There was a small crash around 5km in. I had to jump to avoid , through someones garden to avoid losing position. The team worked well together and there was lots communication. Around 3 laps in, I began to get dropped, still full on, I got my first sticky bottle from the team car, just like every pro in the Peleton!

Borlo Final Stage - 30c at todays start town. After 2 stages, you begin to get into a routine of how to prepare and recover from a race. Hectic at the start line, narrow roads and everyone is eager to race. Had a fantastic start and was able to maintain position. My highlight of todays stage was seeing team mate Gavin Shuttleworth attack and break away for a short while. It was a great boost for the team morale.

A few minutes later we hit the cobbles, HARD! It was only for 500m, but really ‘shook' the peleton. Then the pace began to build as we entered the finishing circuit.

Truly dead after 3 days of racing, now to the Isle of Man.

Jack ‘Baby Face' Barrett (Jnr)

On Friday the 22nd of April, the Junior Ster Van Zuid Limburg started with a 5km Prologue. I started last of the Scots, so had time to enjoy the atmosphere in the village (helped by the hot weather and blue skies!).
I watched all the other boys warm-up and go off to the start, but we didn't know how we did until we were back at the hotel getting ready for the first road stage the next day.

200 riders started, which was by far the biggest field I had competed in. I had raced in Belgium before, but the race seemed at a higher level than anything I had competed in before. Top level riders, closed roads and the infamous Belgian road furniture, made for high speed dangerous racing.

Our inexperience showed as it became a challenge just to stay at the front of the peleton. Crashes played a big part in the race, as it felt like we were riding through a minefield. Four of team finished in the bunch even though we all suffered in the dry, hot conditions, as we struggled to take on enough water and food in the hectic conditions.

Stage 2 was a repeat of Stage 1, although there were more hills and less crashes. This was my favourite stage as I was relaxing in the mayhem and able to get to the front and begin to race. On the last lap, I finally got the gap to squeeze to the front and made the most of it.

I attacked in the right gutter and swung across the road, just like the Pro's. I got away with fellow Scot Grant Ferguson and 4 Belgies. The disinterest to chase in the bunch was good for our chances, but the lack of impetus in our group of 6 meant sadly it didn't last to the line. (However I got a great rush and was eager to carry it into the last day!)

The climax, of the race was the 130km ‘Queen' stage including 4 ‘Bergs', not unlike the hills featured in the ‘Liege B-L' Pro race, that took place the day before. But before we tackled the climbs, there was 30km of winding narrow roads where cross winds played a deciding factor. The bunch shattered as soon as we reached these roads and I found myself fighting like it was the final 30km just to hold the wheels.

With less than 20km of the route complete. I was out of the race and just hoping to finish. Sadly one of the Police motorbikes eventually stopped us and explained we were to get in the Broom-wagon, but it was already full we chose to ride back to the finish on our own.

With the help of a Belgies Garmin and the continued good weather we arrived at the team bus in reasonable morale, considering I didn't get to finish the race.

Ryan Fenwick (Jnr)

The constant sound of the turbos filled the air around me, which only made me more anxious. A drop of sweat dripped from the tip of my nose. I followed it with my eyes, as though I was fixed on it. Once my legs felt ready I slowly came off the turbo and put my helmet and shades on. The shades made me feel more race focussed, but also added to the style as well as my new skin suit, which also looked Pro.

Before I knew it, I was on top of the start ramp, with the starters five fingers in front of me. Within these five seconds I was rephrasing a motivational phrase that again added to my focus; ‘everyone gets butterflies, however its the one who makes them fly in formation who succeeds'

"Go" shouted the big Belgian man in his funny accent. Straight away I was focussing in getting over the 52:14 and get spinning. I got into the saddle and tucked down and just kept the gear spinning. The first hill came within the first 20 seconds, straight away I put it down two at the back and just squeezed up the climb staying seated. It was not until the top where I began to really open out. I was now on a fast section towards the 90 degree left hander. I felt my throat already with my heavy breathing. I was bone dry. I was licking my lips every 10 seconds. To anyone watching they would think I was some form of dog.

The left hander went well. I felt as though I hit the apex and held a good strong line all the way round. This followed a 100% out of the saddle effort, up a small rise and back into the saddle for the flat exposed section. Again I focussed on my lines and rolling over the big gear. Before I knew it I was back in the village, smashing it out of the saddle, up another small climb.

And there it was, a km to go, so back into the saddle I went, trying to bend the cranks round. It seemed more than a kilometre to go. My legs were burning and my thoughts were everywhere. I needed to see the line. And around the next corner there it was. I imagined the line metre further to assure I pushed through all the way.
‘Ouch' was all I was thinking, my whole body was in shut down and my legs went floppy. I knew I had to give it everything and I now only had to wait and see how I got on.

So overall I feel my first ever Prologue went well.

Ross Green (Jnr)

Isle of Man Pre Race

I had trained hard during the winter of 2010/11, hoping it would give me a good chance in my first year of the Junior category. It was quite hard to make yourself go out in the snow and train but then I remembered that many of my competitors would be staying in their nice warm homes and if I went out on my bike I could gain that extra bit on them.

This training eventually paid off when I won the first round of the Sup6r Six B race, which felt great. And also soon after this I found out that I had been selected to go to the Isle of man Youth Tour, which was very exciting.
Two days before the race, I started to pack my bag and get my bike ready. Having a clean bike in working order is one of the most important things in bike racing. If your bike is not working properly then it could affect the outcome of your race.

As of now we are on the Ferry on the way to the Isle of Man. We are all looking forward to it and hoping we will do well!

Scott Lindsay (Jnr)

Packing: Theres is nothing worse than arriving at a race , only to realise you've left something crucial at home. So, packing is very important. I always pack in a certain order, grouping everything together, ie pile of folded base layers. Depending on how long I'm away I choose a particular bag. Though it never fits back in when I'm coming home!

I also fill up plastic tubs with whatever food I'm taking - such as a tub full of bars and gels. I find it helpful to picture any kit for each day - including long sleeve jackets as you never know with the weather. For a trip as long as this, I like to take squeezy wash soap to clean my kit when I need it. You never wear a chamois twice............ Fully packed and ready to go! Remember, wearing your woolly hat is key to success!

The actual journey to a race can have an effect on your race. So I try to have as comfortable a journey as possible. A mixture of napping, staying hydrated and eating helps me achieve a pleasant journey. Ross Greens constant chat is also a bonus! As current Sup6r Six B leader he his happy to chat about (If you are reading this and haven't heard of Ross, please see: Ross Green Appreciation Group on facebook, he's somewhat legendary!). If I arrive feeling the journey wasn't that long, then I know it hasn't tired me out at all.

And there you have it, Some of my prep for the Isle of Man. Looking forward to the race and confident we'll see a strong Scotland showing!

Hamish Carrick (U16)

Isle of Man Prologue Douglas.

Easy ride today around tomorrow circuit race. The Prologue doesn't start till 6, so had a lot of time to relax.
Warmed up on turbo and was trying to completely focus on the 1.29k TT ahead. Usually before a National Race I would be so nervous, but after killing myself for 3 days in Belgium it felt so much easier to relax. Although I could have improved my time from cornering, I couldn't have gone any harder.

Isle of Man Hilly Circuit Race -Quite nervous as I knew what the course was like. I was up in the front line to start with, which was a good feeling. On the first climb, it really split up. I was in a group of around 10 and pushing it along. Team mate Sean Noon brought another 5 riders up. Throughout the race we were able to boss everyone and drop people. With one hill between us and the finish there was only 4 riders in our group.

Isle of Man Crit Race -Was pumped for todays race. We had a good chance at todays stage. Race was not too fast so was quite bunched. I was used to racing crits from Scotland, but struggled in a bunch. Not any more!!! It felt so easy to glide through the bunch without even thinking about it. Caught up in the final crash, I had to get up and beast it to the finish. The trip was a chance to look at how to improve, to see what racing is like in other countries and to simple ride in a huge bunch. It was a fantastic experience!

Delighted with his time away with Scottish Cycling, Hamish Carrick also had this to say...

'Dear Graeme, Mark, Mark, Brynley and Scott

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to go to race in Belgium and Isle of Man. It was a fantastic experience which gave me a chance to see what bike racing is like in another country and at such a high level.

Going on the trip made me think about the effort I need to put in, the tactics I need to work on and what sort of training I need to do to improve. Belgium was the first time I had ever ridden in a bunch larger than 30 other riders, so seeing 150 was truely amazing!

Usually going into a national race I would be very nervous and worried, but after the Haspengouw tour, I was a lot calmer and more relxaed going into Isle of Man. On the second stage, Sean and I where able to work together and boss are group around to do work for us. And on the final stage, the crit, I found it so much easier to move through the bunch and stay calm. I was able to move up the bunch without really thinking about it, it just happened.

Thank you also to Graeme and Brynley for sorting out the bikes while we where away. And to Scott for being are youth coach the hole time we where away.

I am now able to look at my training and improve to make me a much better bike racer.

Thank you so much,

Hamish Carrick'