03/08/2026
Our lads headed across the Channel to experience Belgian kermesse racing at its rawest. Fast, technical, unforgiving and absolutely relentless.
If you’ve never been to a Belgian race, it’s difficult to explain the atmosphere. Entire towns turn out to watch. Kids chase riders for bidons. Photographers line the finish. Hundreds of riders pin numbers on knowing it’ll be full gas from kilometre one.
Three races in three days: a Friday night crit after seven hours in the van, a brutally fast cobbled kermesse, and a 120km road race raced in 35°C heat.
Josh grew into the weekend, handling the cobbles brilliantly and looking increasingly comfortable at this level before an unlucky puncture ended his final race. Rather than calling it a day, he jumped straight into helping the team, keeping bottles and ice flowing in the heat.
Toby battled through mechanicals, breathing issues and brutal conditions to keep fighting to the finish.
Marcus left Belgium without the result he wanted, but with something far more valuable. After a difficult few weeks mentally, he rediscovered his enjoyment for racing, realised the physical level isn’t a million miles away, and experienced first-hand just how important positioning becomes when 175 riders are racing at nearly 50kph.
These trips aren’t just about results. They’re about experiencing a different level of racing, learning lessons you simply can’t replicate at home, and coming back as better bike riders.
A huge thank you to everyone who supported the trip, and to the organisers, volunteers and fans who made us feel so welcome.
We’ll take the lessons, keep building, and we’ll be back.
🇧🇪💙
