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OPINION

Belgium bound

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Heading to the motherland in search of something

So, the big news was announced a couple of weeks ago and I’m delighted to have the support of the Dave Rayner Fund for the coming season, where I’ll be racing in Belgium for the Terra Footwear – Bicycle Line team.

The list of past receivers of the fund is a true who’s who of British and Irish talent, many of whom are now racing at the highest level. It’s an honour to be associated with the organisation that helped facilitate the careers of so many young riders, and I hope that I can emulate many of them, in going onto greater things.

While the sport of cycling is booming in the UK, at both the top and bottom levels, the middle, the level of amateur and UCI continental teams, seems to have been forgotten about. Whether through difficulties in organising races on open roads, or through a lack of sponsors, road racing in this country is anything but thriving. It’s a shame, but for a young rider such as myself, the best (only?) option is still to go abroad if I want to progress any further.

You won’t find me complaining too much though, as it’s the perfect excuse to get out there and out of my comfort zone. It’s a hell of a lot easier to imagine yourself attacking up the Muur to win Flanders (please bring it back) when actually riding up the damn thing, than when stuck back here in blighty! It also gives me the perfect excuse to commit to going full time – nearly a requirement for improvement in a sport dictated to such a degree by aerobic fitness as cycling – which I wouldn’t have had the guts or money to do if I’d stayed in the UK.

Onwards then. My second last semester of university is now completed pending some exams (always there to knock your enthusiasm down a notch), and I can focus on training harder than I ever have before; it might seem odd, but I’m giddy at the prospect!

I’m planning on keeping this blog updated on a much more regular basis than I have before, now that I’ll actually have something interesting (possibly) to talk about, and I hope you’ll join me for the ride. If you’ve ever wondered what life was like scraping a living trying to make it on the bike, then I’ll hopefully be able to provide some insight.

Failing that, I’ll just post pictures of frites and beer.

For 5 years, racing was my life and I went all the way from a newbie bonking after 40 miles, to a full-timer plying my trade on the Belgian kermesse scene. Unfortunately, the pro dream wasn't meant to be and these days, you're more likely to find me bimbling about country lanes and sleeping in a bush on the side of the road.

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7 comments

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Skylark | 10 years ago
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No joke. I personally had a horrible experience with the fellow a time ago. If your lasting impression of the guy is how much of a good boy he is, you're duped. Beware of False Credibilities and Bullies.

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orli replied to Skylark | 10 years ago
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dogcc wrote:

No joke... Beware of False Credibilities and Bullies.

Interesting. I take it as fair warning... It doesn't seem like it was a cordial relationship you had... Good luck to you, Liam, though!  1

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jollygoodvelo | 10 years ago
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Best of luck.

Frites and beer are earned by hard work  1

Mmmm, Kwak.

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Skylark | 10 years ago
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There's better quality food to be had in Belgie.
You can find frites and Beer in UK.

Make the most of it and here's to not bumping into a d*ckhead muppet like Steve Lampier.

Good Luck

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koko56 replied to Skylark | 10 years ago
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@ dogcc - huh why?

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Metjas replied to Skylark | 10 years ago
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look forward to hearing about your experiences and best of luck!

dogcc wrote:

Make the most of it and here's to not bumping into a d*ckhead muppet like Steve Lampier.

that's out of order.

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Liam Glen replied to Metjas | 10 years ago
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I took it to be a joke? Bit harsh if not. He seems like a decent bloke based on my limited interactions with him

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