Local Riders,Local Races!

Trevor Fenwick writes from Belgium…“My riding in Belgium has had to finish because I am two years older, and they have reduced the age of the class I ride in from over 72 to over 70; Which means at 82 I am giving away 12 years instead of eight. I am basically out of my depth now.
However I am competing at St. Johann, Austria in the International Masters Cycling Classic which has an over 80s category, Last year it was rated as the UCI Veteran’s World championship.(I was seventh) Now it is the World Masters Cycling Federation Classic, and attracts the same strong international field, from all over the world.
On Monday I was placed 2nd in the 40km road race called the Radwelkopal. This had a 2.25 km one in 20 climb 3km after the start, with four one in ten steps. With a similar 1 km climb after 15 km. After that it settles down.
Results.
1 Roger Gaignieux France.
2 Trevor Fenwick England Bournemouth Jubilee.
3 Nipoti Augusto Italy.

Today I was second in the classic international time trial over 20 km, on a slightly rolling course with a little ring climb just before the turn

1 Lodewijk Verloy Belgium.
2 Trevor Fenwick England Bournemouth Jubilee
3 Martin Kock Germany.

I was fourth on this course in the world championship last year. This time I improved by a minute, and the two riders that were second and third went back by a minute. That makes a two-minute improvement for me.
There is another 40km international race for me tomorrow.
Prize winners are given the full treatment with national anthems flags, podium and cups the size of swimming pools.
Three weeks ago I rode in an international time trial in Belgium at Woeston. I was eigth in the over 65 section, and seventh on handicap; which was 8 seconds a year over 65.
The course at Woeston was interesting. Three laps of a 7 km course (21 km) Each lap had 15 corners that is 45 corners in all. There was not much chance to settle down.
There was a loudspeaker van, barriers for 200 km at the finish/start. Riders went off at three minute intervals, but as there were several other categories they got mixed up. The judges and the commentator appeared to have it all under control.
There were a few other English riders competing, and a it is great experience for any English tester that wants to try something different. There are also kermesse races on during the week of the festival age related.
PS I finished off the week here with a sixth in the second road race. (Today Thursday 30th)I felt O.K. and was climbing well for my age group, but I need to do a lot of work on sprinting.
Best wishes,
Trevor