Belgium Kermesse racing

On 5 June I travelled to Belgium with Wales Racing Academy for a bit of Kermesse Racing. On the trip were six riders, DS Rob Partridge and big Sam our soigneur. We were staying in a hostel in Nokere along with 3 Australians and an American rider.

The Academy had a heavy schedule with 7 races over the 9 day trip. However, on our easy rides we had the opportunity to check out some of the cobbled bergs from Flanders such as the Kwaremont. This was pretty cool.

Kermesse races are super popular in Belgium where you can find a race practically every day.Races are usually 90-140K. The race is a set distance and number of laps over an established Course. Very often though not always the Kermesse is held on the same day as a town festival. There is usually prize money for the top 20 finishers and often special prizes awarded during certain laps known as primes.

There are so many differences racing in Belgium and they become apparent even before the start. Locals bet on these races.... Before our first race the locals wanted to know whether we were a safe bet for their money! Our odds changed during the trip as I'll explain a little more in a minute. Other differences were closed roads, no parked cars, people lining the streets in towns, techno blasting over the PA system.... Overall a good atmosphere.

The courses on the whole were as flat as you can get with 90 degree turns and also cobbles - classic Belgium. These races are fast and the riders know how to fight for their position. Average speeds of 26- 30mph are the norm. Considering that sometimes the bunch was braking to about 15mph into corners, that average is high! Also in kermesse racing if you're out of contention, you're out of the race. A race official will wave a bulk of the field off the course before the riders finish the full distance.

It's fair to say that I'm not best suited to kermesse racing being small and better suited to lumpy terrain. I needed to be a fair few kgs heavier to be more competitive. In contrast, teammate Willo took home 2 wins and a second place. This was a great feeling for the Academy to get our first win after a lot of hard work over the season. After Will's first podium the locals were not able to get such a good return on us boys! It was also good to see James get two top 10s in the process of working for Will and also getting a 2nd place in the final race. This was the icing on the cake for the team.

Personally, although not best suited to this style of race I got stuck in aggressively and managed three top 20s. It was good to take myself out of my comfort zone to work on my weaknesses. I felt like I improved race by race.

Now home in Wales, I'm looking forward to racing the Tour of the Reservoir next weekend.


Pete