October 12/06 8:59 am - Greg Reain Report

Posted by Editor on 10/12/06
 

Greg Reain Report

Canada's Greg Reain is racing in Europe for the 'Cross season with the German Stevens team, and is sending in regular reports. You can also read about his experiences on his blog: www.crazyfast.blogspot.com


Last weekend saw some heated action in Holland and Belgium with two well-attended UCI C2 races. The course in Harderwijk is situated right on the water's edge so it is always windy there, but this year some rain squalls came through bringing very high winds and sporadic rain. This made for some tactical group racing and treacherous grassy corners on an already fast & flat course. Last row start among 60 guys, so it wasn't looking too good, but I had a good start and chased for a couple laps in a group with Groenendaal until he turned on the jets and bridged to the leaders.

Sunday brought a very technical course through the woods in Neerpelt, Belgium. The start list was stacked and I was once again at the back of 40 guys. Unfortunately the course offered little to no opportunities to pass and I was feeling pretty worked from Saturday's efforts anyway, so I did my best to look fast as Wellens and company approached from behind. The inevitable occurred and I hit the showers early, along with just about everyone else. The three podium finishers were on a completely different level from everyone else today, it was just unbelievable.

I have a bit of a respite from the usual punishment this weekend, with only a small Deutschland Cup race to do on Sunday, so hopefully I'll be dishing instead of receiving!

Grote Prijs Shimano Harderwijk, Netherlands, UCI C2, October 7, 2006

1) Stybar, CZE, Fidea
2) de Kneght, NED, Rabobank
3) Bianco, ITA
18) Reain, CAN, Stevens

Grote Prijs Cycling Neerpelt, UCI C2, October 8, 2006

1) Albert, BEL, Sapim-Palmans-Collstrop
2) Wellens, BEL, Fidea
3) Nys, BEL, Rabobank
23) Reain, CAN, Stevens