Blog by Hamish Haynes, former British National
Road Race Champion

23 May 2008
The Tryptique Ardennais was a real mixed bag. Felt really good the first day, spent most of it in a break but it was all a bit cagey, much to my frustration as I wanted to do something decisive, the rider combination wasn't right, one or two teams not represented, it all came back together for the finish.

Never mind I thought the next stage would be different, I knew the final 40k was much more demanding. The day dawned wet and chilly, it was time to really wrap up. Despite my efforts by half race I was struggling, my team mates did their best to help me, Alex was impressively strong trying to keep me in the mix, I was gasping just to hold his wheel. We ended up finishing in the laughing group, another two men down with only three of us left in the race.

I hadn't felt cold really, could it be that I was just creeping?
Luckily sunday was cool but dry. On the agenda was; ride a time trial very steady in the morning then just stay in the front, follow the wheels over a few hills in the afternoon. Ten actually, including; La Vecquee, Awan, Chambralles, Niaster, twice, La Redoute, twice. Those SIS smart gels were going to come in handy!

My previous day’s performance suggested a conservative approach. From the start I felt good, though it had been the same the day before so it was still a case of expecting a sudden uphill surge to leave me between the cars doing choo choo train impressions.
Funny thing was it never came, I had decided not to go with attacks so missed out on any glory but I felt stronger and stronger each climb. So much so, I decided to ride most of the way home after the race, I could only think that I must have been colder than I realised the day before. Alex was unlucky to puncture early in the stage and not able to come back, a pity I’m sure he will keep improving.

So the race didn’t go as hoped but by the end I was left satisfied that my basic condition is very good, time to deliver on that promise, roll on G.P. Criquielion, Deux-Acren on the 25th.

Hamish

24 April 2008
In mid-February, just before returning from winter training in Spain I picked up a hamstring strain. At that moment it wasn’t clear what had exactly happened, I assumed it was a minor niggle that would quickly recede, within a few days I realized a scan was necessary, fortunately it revealed only a minor muscle elongation.

However even with regular physiotherapy treatment and a rehabilitation training regime it took six weeks before I was really able to train fully, racing has been out of the question until late March.
As you can imagine this was a very disappointing state of affairs.

Having been in mid-January suddenly without a team I was determined to make a fight back. My Spanish training had gone very well, I had worked hard and rested carefully, with the advice of my coach Marc Hemeryck a great deal of progress had been made, not least of which was to become very lean, 5kg lighter than in 2007.

I knew I was going to be in my best ever condition and wanted to start the season with a bang.
One has to play the cards as they are dealt, I knew so much good work was already done, my motivation is always very strong, so it was simply a question of remaining relaxed and focused.
With all European pro-team options closed I joined Team Yawadoo – ABM, which would enable me to compete in the best Belgian ‘amateur’ programme available. It would remain difficult to build up a set of results sufficient to secure the interest of a professional team but I had resolved to do just that. It means that when I ride the most prestigious races nothing short of my best
will do.

The last few weeks have been sometimes frustrating but also a lot of fun, luckily for me I love racing and training with a passion.

To begin with the first goal was to finish races without causing more problems with my hamstrings. By early April the risk of further injury had diminished, an acid test would be the Twee Daagse van de Gaverstreek, the first time I would do two hard days one after the other. I had already begun doing substantial training before and after each race, making totals of 200 kilometers or more. The TDvdG was no exception, I was stronger than I expected, finishing 26th overall. I like to think that had I not punctured in Saint Sauveur and chased without cars from group to group for 20k the result could have been better. After the Sunday afternoon stage I rode with my team mate Stevie Christiaens to Ninove, total 430k, another good weekends’ work.
The fact is that I am out of the loop, the riders who I must compete against are racing for 170-220k at a relatively high level. So it is essential to develop my condition fully, its not just a question of distance, my races are only 120-180k, when I race I have to go full gas too, the other guys will know I am there!

Above all it’s about results. I’m pleased to say I scored my first win on Sunday 20th April in Beauvechain. It was ‘only’ a Kermis but there were still 150 guys to beat, and I wanted to give them a good beating! Apart from anything else the race rhythm and ‘finale’ practice are vital to attain. Of course there were 80 training kilometers to do as well, I enjoyed every one.
It was also the first time I had used my new Shimano Dura-ace pedals in anger, which has certainly inspired my confidence in them, very stiff and stable feeling with no wasted power. I had received them the week before thanks to the support of Madison - Shimano UK.

Next up two interclubs, Ster van Zuidwest Vlaanderen in Anzegem and 89th Grote Prijs Affligem, 26th and 27th April, then its 1st Meiprijs Hoboken 1st of May. There’s plenty more after that, not least Puivelde Pro Kermis and the Tryptique Ardennaise, so I’m going to enjoy it without too much pressure but really there’s only one result that will do.
I’ll let you know how it goes.

Hamish Haynes Blog 2
Well after all the uncertainty over who I would be riding for in 2008, this week I signed a contract with Team Yawadoo, a Belgian Amateur team. Obviously after riding for DFL – Litespeed last year I had been hoping to ride for another continental team because of the kind of race programme that would have offered.

But ever since the team due to take over from DFL came to nothing, in between some hard training
while I was in Spain, the phone and email was running red hot while I looked for a new squad.
During that time I had several irons in the fire and
it was a bit up and down as I examined what was
out there.

All the time, I remained positive and made sure I was in the best possible condition for when I finally did put pen to paper. Last week I drove up from the Costa Blanca to the home in Belgium I share with Emma Silversides, this week, after so much uncertainty, it was a real pleasure to be welcomed into the Wetteren home of the Yawadoo manager, Peter Bauwens, to sign a contract and then be taken directly to Nico Sport to arrange for race clothing complete with the British Championship sleeve and collar stripes, which will be ready in a couple of days.

Returning to my home with a Scatto carbon race bike and full bag of Jartazi leisure clothing it was good to reflect on the efficiently organised progress of the day.I returned to Wetteren on Saturday, ( February 23) for team training in the Flemish Ardenne region, followed by a training race the following day.

Team Yawadoo is a small but ambitious outfit, they have one of the best programmes of any Belgian Amateur Team, including all UCI 1,2, interclub, Pro-Kermis and stage races in Belgium, such as Beverbeek Classic,Omloop van het Waasland, Tryptique Ardennais and Tour de Liege. Last year they were a continental team and the infrastructure has been brought through for 2008, providing good support for the riders.

My first race, UCI 1.2 Beverbeek Classic, 1st of March. Now to focus 100% on the season. I am very determined to prove a point, of course to secure a Professional contract again and of course win beautiful races for Team Yawadoo.

You can visit the team website at www.wielerploeg.tv Its due for revision for 2008 shortly, the opening page shows the fully shower/kitchen/TV fitted team bus, which I saw being re-stickered yesterday. Its an impressive asset to have, I intend to climb in there,bouquet in hand, so often as possible!

Hamish

31 January 2008
Our stay here with Citrus Cycling on the Costa Blanca has been very very positive. The excellent weather and training environment has allowed us to develop excellent condition. Emma and I are both lean and strong, having trained with enthusiasm, rested and eaten well.

Each of us have noticeably increased muscular development and definition, with low body fat. I've week on week been able to push bigger gears faster up the hills in the various intervals I use. I'm getting the 11 round nicely and at 65kg am 4kg lighter than I was at the Tour of Britain.

In other words I've learnt some crucial lessons and expect to be very strong this year. I plan to make it my best season yet.I'm also extremely hungry and motivated to race and win, in part due to the team situation.

I've never met Michael Matts, though I have spoken to him on the phone on several occasions leading up to the collapse of the "Pedaltech Project".

The biggest problem for all involved was how far it was able to run, due in no small part to
the apparently convincing nature of Mr Matts' negotiations and the capabilities of the
teams "management".

For it all to fall through in mid January has left many of us in a difficult position, as most other opportunities are already gone.

For me there are no continental or pro-continental contracts available in non-British teams.

So the plan is to ride with a good Belgian amateur team that will allow me to compete in UCI 1.2/2.2, inter-clubs and hopefully pro-kermis'.

My ambition is to well kick some ass when I get back to mine and Emma’s Belgian home in Meensel Kiezegem.

I will commence negotiations immediately with a view to hopefully joining a pro team during this season, focusing on Collstrop, Jartazi and Landbouwkredit etc.

I will let you all know asap which team I will now ride with. At the moment it is likely to be Soenens Germond, where Nico Mattan has joined as assistant team director.

There may be a little monthly money available but financially this year will be more challenging. One key source of income are the quite generous performance bonuses, payable for wins and top five results.

So to have food on the table and indeed the table with a roof over it, I have to win, a good formula

Hamish