Margriet Kloppenburg

After a weekend without racing, as I wasn't selected for worlds, I was looking forward to the races in Lille and Hoogstraten. Especially the course in Lille I was looking forward to. But on Thursday morning (2/2) I woke up with flu-like symptoms. I hoped that an easy day would fix things, but on Friday I still wasn't feeling much better. As I really wanted to race over the weekend I did a little testride on Friday - but that only confirmed my fears. No riding on Saturday. I left the decision about Sunday open until Saturday. Even though I did feel a lot better I decided then that racing would not bring any good.

Monday I was back on my bike and did a good ride. Also yesterday I did a good session and I am confident that I will be ready for the coming weekend! On Saturday I will race in Middelkerke (Belgium) and Sunday in Heerlen (Holland).

Margriet

Last time I wrote is almost 2 months ago! I have done a lot of racing since then. Besides racing I have been bussy with university – had assignements and exams to do to finish this semester. Now that is done and I have only one semester left til I am finished with my bachelor degree.

I apologise for the negligence. I am going to write you a quick review of the racing I have done since I posted my last update;

I got back to Belgium before the races in Essen and the world cup in Namur mid december. A muddy weekend! In Essen we rode in the mud up til our ankles. I did a good race – had a great start, 7th into the field. Lost a few spots during the first laps, but was in the first 15. Unfortunatly I puncured and lost a few places. I ended18th.

Picture from the race in Essen, taken by Bart Hazen

The World cup course in Namur the day after was a hard one! Mud and a lot of steep banks. The banks were slippery because of the mud both uphill but especially downhill, this caused a lot of crashes. After a bad start in the snow I was unfortunate to crash down one of the first banks and landed in a big budle of muddie wather. After this I got cold and never got back in my rhythm. I ended the race in 40th position. Petitereines made a great video of the race including me! Go to the Video section of my website to see it!

The monday after Namur, James and I rode to Marum in Holland, where my family lives. The next race was already thuesday in Surhuisterveen – so a great opportunity to combine racing with a family visit. The race went alright – it was really wet and cold as it rained most of the day. I had a good start and a decent ride. I finished 14th.

The 23th we all raced in super prestige evening city cross in Diegem. A hard race where I had a good race. I became 20th.

The world cup in Heusden Zolder th 26th of december started of really bad. In one of the first corners one of the other girls planted her big ring in my calf, and here a month later I still have a nice chainring mark. I was affected by this for most of the race and did not really feel I good ride with full power on my left leg. A shame, as I liked the course, it was quick and with lots of turns. I ended in 35th place. Watch another Video from Petitesreines in the Video section.

The azencross in Loenhout, the 28th of december, has been the race I feared most on this seasons calender. After I did the race a few years back I crashed really bad on the BMX washboard section. Since then, I must be honest, I have avoided the race. But this year there was no choice, as I was here the whole christmas/new year period. So I had to face my fears! A few days before the race I made an agreement with Gabby Day, who also lives in Oudenaarde during the CX season, that she would guide me over them.

So during the warming upride I met up with Gabby and took the Big step and rode over the BMX wasboard section! Right now, looking back, I am laughing of my self.. Why was it I was so afraid again? Once I got going on it there was no problem at all! And actually started to enjoy them towards the end of the race. Besides the washboard there ws also a long grass/mud section at the back of the course where we ran ankle deep – a really hard section I have to admit. But I liked it! And I felt good during the race, I was in good company until I punctered just after the finishline (so I had to run half a lap to the pit). I finnished 23th after trying to chase back to my group for the last 2,5 laps. For next year I am going to make sure to get the race back on my calender to get back in full confidence!

Races between christmas and new year follow each other up fast. After only one day at home it was off to the next race in Leuven. A course I didn't really know what to think off. It was very long and I did not like the tech parts much. But nothing I can change about that so after the startshot it was go! I did a medium race and finished 18th.

New years eve wasn't the most exciting evening of the year. James and I had a nice dinner and watched a movie. But we went to bed before the fireworks started.

Mainly because I was racing in Luxembourg on the 1st of january. So it was an early morning. The course was really hard, looking at hight meters! Litteraly up and down a hill every lap! And the rain and mud did not make that easier. As there was a race in Baal, BE, as well the field wasn't the biggest. But with World Champion Marianne Vos on the start it was going to be a hard one! Even though I had been doing a lot of racing I felt okay so hoped for a good result. And a good result I got! I ended 3ed behind Marianne and Julie Krasniak. A good start for the new year and great rehearsal for next week.

 Podium Picture by Roland Beck; FLTR; Julie Krasniak FR, Marianne Vos NL, ME!, Nathalie Lamborelle (best Lux girl)

The 8th of january it was then time for the national championships! A bit o fa strange race it was going to be. As I have been racing in Europe alot this season fields have been a lot bigger then the 5-6 girls at the line in DK. At the same time it is one of the most important races of the year. 

This years race was close to the center of Copenhagen on a camping area. So the course was on a lot of gravel and grass, the grass quickly changed into mud though. My biggest competitor was to be Nikoline Hansen, who also has been racing in Europe this season. The first lap I had to let her go a bit – but on the start of lap two I got closer to here again and I felt strong. Then, halfway lap 2, I realised that my frontwheel wasn't really doing what I wanted... Puncture.. as far from the pitas I could be. So half riding, half running my race changed from racing for the win to securing my second place. And I did. Even though I lost a lot of time running to the pit I got in second. I must admit I wasn't to happy, but nothing to do about it. I guess I would have been more happy for a second place if it would have been a“fair” fight to the line. I hope for better luck next year! The TV station TV2east made a story on there sportsshow the night of the 8th - go and see it at the video section of my website (it is about 13 minutes in)

 FLTR: ME, Nikoline Hansen, Signe Strandvig.

The day after nationals I got an exam out of the way and thuesday I was in the car back to Belgium as the next world cup was on in Lievin the15th. So after a little stop over in Belgium I drove the last part to Lievin on saturday. Lievin has a great course! I really liked it. On saturday everything was dry and there were lots of banks and corners! Super fast and I was really excited about sundays race! In the night from saturday to sunday it had been freezing so the ground was hard in the morning, but as the sun came out and heated it up the to player got weakend and very slippery. This changed the course quit abit. But stil fast and I was still looking forward to it. In the world cup I am ranked quiet far back, so call up is not on the first rows. But with a great start I made it up to the middle of the bunch. I could not enjoy this position for long though, as some girls in front of me crashed in the 3ed corner and took me with them. The sun had made the corner slippery as ice – there was nothing to do, I was down before I realized. So there my good start went up in air. I changed bikes after the crash, with other tires. I felt good and confident the rest of the race, and raced well. The result unfortunatly did not show it. I ended as number 36. You can see a clip on the race in the video section.

Last weekend I had a double weekend – Ruchpen the 21st and the world cup in Hoogerheide the 22ed. They share a similar race report. Both races I had a really good start – but after the first half lap I found myself having lost a lot of places. Just not having enough speed I guess. How that suddenly disapeared I don't know. In Ruphen I ended 15th and in the world cup I ended 44th. See a video from the race in the video section.

At all my races I always have people to help me, mecanics (Serge and Christoph) and soigneurs (Katleen, Luc etc). In Hoogerheide I had a very special soigneur to come with my jacket after the race → see picture. A big thanks to all of you, also the people which names are not up her, I really appreciate all the help I get at races. Thank you.

Floor and I - Picture by Bart Hazen

The coming weekend is a big weekend in cyclocross and everybody is resting and prepping for it. WORLDS... Unfortunately I am not selected and so I have made other plans for the weekend. Saturday my road team has it's presentation, so I'm going to show my face there and join in on the team training as well. On sunday I hope for good weather, so I can make a nice long ride and after that I maybe have a little look at the race.. Good luck to everybody who is racing.

Today I did a nice sunny ride with James, starting out and ending in the rain though. Enjoying just being out riding and finding new roads – resulting in the pic below! I knew I should have left my cx tires on the bike!

For february I have planned 6 more race before I go on a little holiday and return to the road races in the end of marts.

Have fun watching worlds this weekend!

Margriet

I am back home – or right now staying over at my parenths house. I almost forgot I have moved out into an apartment in a little town close by called Sandby.

The last 2 weekends I Have spend racing in Belgium and Holland. The 20th we raced close to my Belgium home, Oudenaarde, in Asper-Gavere. Another Super Prestige, so another early morning. The course in Gavere is based around a castle and basically it goes down and up a hill. So either really fast and technical or lots of power. The race was quiet good for me and I won the sprint of my group and finished one spot better then last week, at 18th place! So things are improving and this gave me confidence for the coming World Cup in Koksijde.

See a video of the race from VT4 her

Katrien Thijs, Nicolle De Bie-Leyten and I in Gavere - Picture by Ronny De Lange

Gavere - Picture by Christian De Clercq

Last year the World Cup race in Koksijde was, after a one year break, my ”comeback race” to cyclocross. Great timing to start out in the hardest race of the season. This season it could only go better, as I have been racing for 2 months now. Still I was really nervous for this race, as it is the rehearsal for Worlds January which will be held on the same course as the WC. I felt a bit better after preriding the course on Friday, I felt quit strong on the technical parts in the sand. I could ride quit a bit.

A smiling face on Friday in Koksijde - Picture by Patricia Cristens

But I was still nervous at the start Saturday. Unfortunately things did not go as good as on Friday, I had to runn most of the sandparts.. Fortunately everybody had. It was too deep to ride. Usually the running parts are my strong points but on saturday I felt I did not go anywhere. I finished 39, where I had my hopes up for a finish in the top 30. So I could not be anything else then disapointed, specially when realising that this is the course where we will be riding for the World Titel in the end of January. Enough to work on before that I say!

See a, like always, great video on the race from Petitesreines HER and also one from Sporza HER

At the start of the race - Picture by Thomas Van Bracht

Good to see a Swedish delegation at the World Cup! - Picture by Patricia Cristens.

After the race I drove with my boyfriend to Gieten in the north of Holland for Sundays Super Prestige. He normally races a bike himself (on the road), but he has been so kind to take the role as soigneur and driver at some of my races! I was really happy I did not have to do this 4 hour drive from Koksijde all by myself, as I really felt tired from all the running in the sand!

In between Koksijde and Gieten I had a quick family visit at my aunt, uncle and cousin's house. They life 30 minutes away from Gieten, so that fitted in perfect and took my mind of my bad race. Sunday morning we woke up to stormy weather, a lot of wind and a grey sky. I did not feel great, but was motivated to race, as I like the course in Gieten and my parenths were there to watch. I got a bit of a surprise during the call up for the start. It always goes after the UCI ranking and so you normally know where about you should be called. So when I expected to hear my name I was about to ride to line, they didn't call up my name. I was at the bottom of the list – they hadn't seen my name on the UCI list... strange.. so with a start on the last lane I had to make up even more then usual. Luckily for me there is a long tarmaq road to start with in Gieten and before turning into the field I was back there where I normally am. Half way the race it started raining and that made the race even harder. I ended at a 23rd place.

A video from RTV Drenthe HER - we come in after the u23 and juniors after ca 9. minuts. A video from VT4 HER

Rain and wind in Gieten - Picture by Kurt Cauwenbergh.

After the race I drove home to Denmark with my parenths. I am going to stay her for about 2 weeks, as I have a bit of uni work to deal with. (yes I am still studying besides racing. It's not going fast – but it is progressing).

I am back in Belgium before the races in Essen and Namur.

Margriet

Right now I am enjoying an easy monday after a bussy and satisfying weekend. As i wrote on Saturday I rode to a 13th place in the UCI C1 race in Nommay, France on Friday.

Yesterday I was back racing in Belgium. The Super Prestige in Hamme-Zogge. Felt a bit tired getting up in the morning, as the women race was already on at 10.45. But as I got going and tested the lap before the race I slowly woke up. I liked the quick and dry course with lots of corners, some longe stredges, 2 bridges and 3 sections with steps. Something for everybody to enjoy.

The start was a bit messy, but got out of it quiet alright. My starts aren't going the way I want them to go the last races. But there are a lot of things you have no control over when your not on the first row when the start is going, so just need a bit of good luck and loads of UCI points to get myself up on that first row! But that will be a while I guess, lots of good girls around fighting for points.

Even though bigshots as Helen Wyman, Sanne van Paassen, Hanka Kupfernagel and Gabby Day did not participate today a field of almost 30 women were at the start. As the course was really fast small mistakes got punished straight away so it was easy to lose the wheel of the rider in front, but this also ment that there was a reasonable change to get back on wen mistakes had been made.

After the messy start I found myself in a group fighting for 16-22th place. The group changed size several times and at one point we were all riding alone. But with 2 laps to go were 5 girls getting back together, me hanging on to the last wheel as nummer 20. I really felt alright these last laps, even though the race had been hard on me as I am usually riding my laps solo. Riding solo around the course is a huge difference to riding with others, as you only have to focus on your own ride. But it felt great to be in a little group as it gives you a bit of a rest at some points during the race. In the last lap our group got stretched out and I ended up as nr. 19 – 20 seconds from 16th place and about 4 minuts behind winner Daphny van den Brand.

Here a link to Belgien VT4 Footage of the womens race.

Picture on the top of one of the stairs - behind me an overview on a part of the course. Picture by Geert Nachtergaele

Even though some of the bigshots not being there I am happy with my first top 20 in a Belgium UCI Race. I have a good feeling about the race and can see I am steadily improving. I am now going to enjoy the rest of my day of and look forward to give it full gas in the up comming training sessions and races.

Enjoy your Monday!

Margriet

Today is a day in between races.. I came back from Nommay, France late last night. I had decided to go there in the last minute together with the Renner Custom CX team.

We left thursday morning, for a 600 km drive from Oudenaarde. It all went quiet quick and arrived in Nommay around 16.30 in the afternoon. A spin on the hometrainer, relaxing and having dinner were the key things to do the rest of the day.

Fridaymorning we woke up to grey sky's and a cold brease, not sunshine as the weather forecast had promised. The course was tipical french, up and down a big field. So there was a lot of grass to ride with different lenght banks we had to go up and down. Even though it was quiet dry it was a hard course.

My start was bad - so I was chasing for the rest of the race. The first 2 laps I was in a hurry because of that, and I blem myself up a bit. Towards the end of the race I felt better again and managed to get back 1 or 2 girls and ended up in 13th place. My first top 15 in a UCI C1 race, which means 4 UCI points. So not so satisfied about the race, but very happy about the result.

Last Saturday I rode a small local race in Zegelsem where I race with the juniors. Great racing on the side of the Leberg. Even though I punctured I won the race. Great feeling to bring home flowers!

Podium picture by Romina Teirlinck

Tomorrow is the Super Prestige in Hamme-Zogge, Belgium. I felt good on my ride today. So looking forward to see how it goes! 

Margriet

After a stressfull start to my trip to the Czech Republic I found a bit of rest when we got to our rented holiday home in Milevsko, about 20 km from Tabor.

The course In Tabor had ac ombination of powerclimbing and some technical parts. On saturday when we were out to look at the course I really liked the technical parts with lots of cornering in the start of the race. I went trough them perfectly and this gave me a bit of confidence for the race the following day.

Picture By Luc Van Der Meiren

My race wasn't perfect, but a lot better then the sunday before in Plzen. The start went alright and I felt alright too. The race ended up being up and down, some laps were good, others less good. Ended up being 35, finishing the race. Finishing was my biggest goal of the day, get back a bit of confidence after last weeks disapointment.

Me on the technical part - picture by Luc Van Der Meiren

After a long drive home, found my bed at 5.30, and a short night, was up again at 9.00, I moved into my new apartment in Sandby. After living on my self for 2,5 years coming back to my parenths place was nice, but felt I wanted a bit more of my own space when at home in Denmark. So when the opportunity came to move, I took it. So pushed in 2 days of moving and getting settled, not optimal, but nescesary.

Last saturday I then drove back to Belgium, and after a long drive on saturday I raced in Zonhoven on Sunday. A grazy plan.. The race in Zonhoven is hard! Really Hard! Lots of sand and a big hole you have to ride/run through! So driving all day the day before wasn't a great prep, but lesson learned and had a good training got 23.

In the sand in Zonhoven - Picture by Luc Van Der Meiren

Tuesday I already had the next race, so monday was an easy day. Tuesday I rode Koppenberg Cross, just around the corner from where I am staying in Belgium (Oudenaarde). After pre riding the course on Monday, I was really looking forward to the race! Another hard one! The course of the Koppenberg Cross, as the name sas goes on to the coblled climb Koppenberg. 6 laps on the course having to get up the Koppenberg every time was a killer! But I felt motivated and focussed and that showed in my start I rode up the Koppenberg among the first 15. I did a solid ride, and am happy about my race. I fell back a bit during the race and ended 22ed.

Focussed racing down Koppenberg - Picture by Kris Klaeyé

Tired after racing up the Koppenberg - Picture by Katrien Quartier

You can see highlights of u23, junior and women at the Koppenberg cross HER.

But with this result I ended my first raceperiod very positive and I am now looking forward and motivated to get in some proper training the next 2 weeks before starting my second race period.

Margriet

Sven Nys etter - Danske kvinder imponerer

(Sven Nys number one - Danish women Impress)

www.feltet.dk

Friday I left for 9 days to Czech with the national team. Besides training we ride the first 2 world cups of this season. I was really looking forward to see how it would go, as I was having a really good feeling about the last races.

Until Sunday the trip has been a bit bumpy. We had a few problems before take off; No staff before coming friday (luckily we got a local to be in the pit for us in Plzen, thanks Ondrej!) and not enough space in the cars to bring hometrainers or extra wheels. Getting startnumbers and planning, shopping and fixing bikes beside being a rider as well wasa  bit stressful.

Not having a hometrainer with me I had to change my usual racepreparation and warming up. On top of that the zipper in my skinsuit broke, so I had to get changed into other kit 15 minutes before the race.

I started the race in the midle of the bunch, but did not really feel race ready. And the result of that I could see straight away during the race. I was not focussed and thinkin about everything else but racing! And the result was like that. I had my hopes up to finish the race, like I had done in my previous races in Belgium. But with 2 laps to go the judges pulled me out as later winner Katherine Compton was getting close to me. So disapointed about the race, but also more eager to do good next Sunday in Tabor and show everybody what I can.

Me on one the of the many grass parts - Pic by Luc Van Der Meiren

World cup race in Plzen - Pic by Luc Van Der Meiren.

This week we spend about 20 km from Tabor, we rented a holiday home in a town called Milevsko. Monday and Tuesday we had fantastic weather and Nikoline Hansen and I took advantage of that and did a nice ride yesterday to the oldest chain bridge in Czech. A really nice area with small climbs, wather and forrest.

Me on the chain bridge - A bit affraid of falling through the planks when that car passed me! but nothing happend! Pic by Nikoline Hansen.

View on one side of the bridge! Really nice area for a long and easy ride. Pic by Nikoline Hansen.

Nikoline Hansen and me on our tourist ride!

Tomorrow we go and see the course for Sunday in Tabor, I'm looking forward to see what it's like and I am hoping for a good performance on Sunday!

Talk soon,

Margriet

Last Thursday I came back from the first Belgium tripof this season. A good one.

I started the trip with a good CX session with Herman Snoeijink, who is ex dutch national cx coach. Very usefull with good tips about techniek and different possibilities for training. After that I went to a surprice party for my uncle in Amsterdam, it was his fiftiest birthday. A great party which he had not seen coming at all! Really nice to be there for this special occasion. So a great start of the trip.

Picture; Me with my uncle, Jeroen (in the middle) and2 of his friends.

After that I drove to Oudenaarde, where I will have my base this winter. I really like the town – start and finish town of The Tour Of Flanders next year – and have a lot of friends that stay there as well. So always people to train and spend time with.

My first race was the Fidea GP Neerpelt the 24th of september. I had a bad start of the race, as there was a crash in the front, I managed to stop but the girl behind me rode into my derailleur and I could not shift gears, so I had to get into the pit straight away to get my other bike. So behind from the start, but great to be started again! I have to admit I was still a bit rusty,but the season is young and there are coming a lot of races. Place 18.

Neerpelt - Pic by Luc van der Meiren

The next race was a smaller race, the 25th, nearby in De Pinte together with the Junior boys. I started all at the bag of the pack so a good practice for the bigger races. I did an alright start, but did not catch up with all the girls, 2 of them were lined up at the front. So I chased all the race. But a nice second race and already less rusty then the first one.

The third race of my trip was De Vlaamse Industrie Prijs Bosduin in Kalmthout, a race I was looking forward to as I did good there last year. The race was a bit different from last year.Then snow and ice, now sun and almost 30 degrees! So it was very different from last year, but still a course I liked. My start wasn't great, I got boxed in and came into the field in the back of the group. I was fighting to get to the front of the group when it splitted and I was catched behind a girl who could not keep the wheel. When I passed the other girls had rode of and I was left to chase. I had good speed and catched up with some of the girls during the race and had the same lap times as the group in front of me. So even though I messed up in the start I am sattisfied with my race and really something I can build on for the rest of the season. I ended on place 19.

Kalmthout - pic by Luc van der Meiren

Sunny and dusty - pic by Kurt Cauwenbergh

I ended my trip with a visit to my family in Groningen, so a good combi of racing and family visits

So now I am back home did a local race her in the area together with the guys. A new experience, but really nice to get pushed to race even harder and 20 minutes longer then usual. I had a great start in the race and did really good until I got into a fight with a branch – which the branch won, it broke of my rear derailleur. Of course just when I had passed the pit and had to walk about a K to get to the next pit again. So the race was over. This week is a easier week for me trainingwise and on friday we will leave with the national team to Checz for the 2 first world cups there. I am really looking forward to see how things go in Checz and I'll try to keep you posted about my trip.

Racing together with the guys! pic by Christian Reimers

Race done... Pic by Christian Reimers.

Margriet

When things do not go as expected, your first thoughts do not go to tell everybody about it on your website. And when the last time you wrote something is getting further and further back in time it gets harder to start writing again.

My road season has been a bit like a roller-coaster ride, a lot of ups and downs. At times I felt things turned and I felt better and better, for then suddenly to be tired and not in shape at all or just being ill. But also the other way around, from being riding around like a bag of petatoes to suddenly feeling on top of the world. This resultet in a lot of action going on in my head; frustrations, wondering, worrying, happyness – as I said before a roller-coaster. When we got to july it turned out I needed surgery for an injury I have had for longer time, another downer. I kept going for a while but I did not really know what I should do anymore. After a disaster ride at the world cup in Sweden I gave in, I had to give my head and body some rest to get back up and running. At first I only wanted a short break, so I could still get ready for worlds. But after a few days off I realised that a short break probably would not be enough and surtenly not if I had surgery done. As I did not wanted my cyclocross season to turn out a smy road season I made the big decision to end my road season for 2011, get the rest I needed, get surgery done and get a proper start on my cx season when I felt ready to start again. So a big decision, but as soon as I made it a big burden fell of my shoulders.

So I am happy I made the decision, even though it meant that I for sure would not ride worlds in Copenhagen. I have had a nice easy period and enjoyed time with my family, boyfriend and friends. Also I had surgery done succesfully. The first of september was my first day aloud back on the bike and I enjoyed my first ride very much! I am happy to be back!

So now I am back to training and am loving every ride! In 3 weeks I will do my first cx race in Neerpelt and hope to be in good shape for the first two world cups in Czech Republic medio october. The plans for this cx season are to race the full world cup series and the European championships in Lucca Italy.You can see my full program for this winter under “schedule and results”.

Enjoy riding your bike, i'll be back soon!

Margriet