Grote Prijs Rik Van Looy UCI 1.2
A new race on the UCI calendar in the east of Belgium finishing in Herentals, the hometown of the “Emperor of Herentals” Rik Van Looy - who despite being in his 70s looks in very good shape and could turn over the pedals fast! Our squad consisted of Adam Lewis, Cooper Sayers, Leon Mazzone, Bradley Symons and Jack Rootkin-Gray.
This race was a late addition to the Saint Piran calendar to reduce the time of no serious racing to keep the legs and more importantly the competitive nature alive after the postponement of the Beaumont Trophy.
With a flatter than flat parcours, the organisers spiced things up significantly with narrow twisty roads and 3 different sectors of paving which were tackled 16 times in all and more significantly they ordered in some real Belgian weather: wind and rain! The first part of the race plan was to be on the front foot ahead of the danger, which the lads duly did. A 35-man group went clear early with Adam Lewis and Jack Rootkin-Gray represented, just behind them was a 20-man chasing group with the other 3 riders in, Tom Mazzone, Bradley Symonds and Cooper Sayers.
Up ahead things were beginning to split, with Jack finding himself in a 13-man group ahead of the various chase groups which had re-joined and then split again due to the weather conditions and the roads.
Coming into the finale we finally got to Jack, not so easy with many small roads, groups of riders everywhere and the commissaries, barraging groups and the convoy much to many of the sports directors’ frustrations!
Part 2 of the plan was for Jack to go solo using his skill set as a rider in the best way. He had to be patient and find the right moment, waiting for weaknesses or a slowing in the group which was now 8 riders strong. He hit the group with 5 km remaining, a solid attack yet, unfortunately, was regained by a highly motivated Coen Vermeltfort a prolific winner in Belgian and Dutch races. Jack came home a creditable 5th after trying again closer to the line.
Sports Director Steve Lampier adds “There are lots of positives to take from the team’s performance over the weekend making the long journey back to the team’s base in Cornwall worthwhile. Not the win we were looking for but it’s certainly coming.”
Final Result: Jack Rootkin-Gray 5th, Tom Mazzone 23rd, Bradley Symons 47th, Adam Lewis 52nd.
Next up is our final race of the season – The Beaumont Trophy Nation Series Road Race on Sunday 9th of October.
Pictures: Jolanda's Foto's
