Tying the knot

November & December are always stressful months for me. As a normal road racer, one would be taking a bit of a break at this time while occupied with finding and negotiating contracts for the next season. Given that I have chosen 'cross as my specialty, the season is in full swing with Nationals and a boatload of other races to prepare for, as well as finding and organizing start contracts for the Dec/Jan period. It all kinda adds up...

I'm happy to report that, after much ado, I will be riding for the Calyon Canada Pro Continental Cycling Team next season. I am looking forward to riding a strong program of North American events in the company of riders and staff that I know and trust. In fact, af all the Canadian teams that I saw in action on the road last season these guys were the most disciplined and organized of them all, and it was at that time that I first thought that I could see myself as a part of this team.

At this juncture, I feel that I need to give big shout-outs to my agents, the Ottawa-based Revolution Council, who have worked tirelessly on my behalf to find homes for me in the peloton that contribute to my overall growth as an athlete. From Cyclelogik Racing to Stevens Continental Team to Calyon Pro Continental, they've been instrumental in making it happen.

I've had 2 great seasons based out of Germany with Stevens but make no mistake, the bonds that developed there remain strong and I will continue to race cyclocross in Europe aboard a Stevens.

Press releases on the following sites:

cyclingnews.com
canadian cyclist
pedal magazine

//G

My Apologies

I've been catching some flak for not updating this in awhile. I probably deserve it.

Here's what's been going on since Nationals:

- did the OBC race at Morrisburg while still (ahem) somewhat inebriated from the previous evening's festivities. Hangover came and went sometime during, so it was all good. Hardest race of the year, guranteed.

- drove 7-1/2 hours to Sterling MA, rode the hometrainer in my motel room that smelled of vomit, raced for an hour where I showcased the jersey well by getting the holeshot and riding in the lead for a bit, got popped and finished 5th, drove 5 hours back to MTL.

- 3 days later, I'm back in MTL at the airport to fly back to Hamburg. Uneventful flight, but really crappy films. Note to Air Canada - update your damn movie collection already!

- Worst jetlag, ever. I was a total zombie for like a week. You try sleeping 2 hours a night and training 4 hours (in what feels like the middle of the night). It sucks.

- Raced the C2 in Frankfurt this past Sunday. Figured I had a shot at the top ten if everything went right. Everything didn't go quite right, and I ended up on place 16. Not all bad, and I can tell the technique and general level of fitness are good. Just need to get the turbo back, no probs.

Here's what's up in the next little bit:

- "Mid-season training camp". We're not actually going anywhere, just training 5hrs a day in shitty weather until 24 December.

- Weinachten! 24 December I get to do the Christmas dinner thing with my friends Anne & Matthias and their families. No partying this year though, did enough of that last year to last for two.

- 26 December- World Cup in Hofstade, BEL. This should serve to rejuvenate my UCI ranking, as I am now in danger of slipping out of the top 50. Here's hoping my tires stay on. This is also the beginning of my sojourn in Belgien, where I will be staying at Josc's house yet again, in the company of my esteemed colleagues Tara & Neil Ross, Kyle Douglas (U23 Canuck champ, yo!) & Helen (Brit champ, cheers!) & Stef Wyman.

I'll be back in Canada post-worlds, start of Feb. I should think.

Stay warm back home!
//G