A race that suited me better as we went up the Kemmelberg twice. The profil of the race lookd like a small Gent - Wevelkem and it ended in the same way as it all ends in a sprint.
The Race: Today only six of us were part of the race, and none us made the breakaway.
The breakaway was composed of 9 riders with Zico Waeytens (TSV) as the most dangerous rider.
As we were approaching the first ascent of the Kemmelberg, the whole team went to the front to avoid being caught in crash or being slow down.
All went well and we even had a slight advantage on other favorites.
To me, the race was not hard enough and I was afraid that a big peloton would arrive in Ieper, so we the help of Dieter Bouvry (ETX) we get the race in our hands, the pack got surprised and some favorites not well positioned lost some ground. We did not managed to make a gap but still had tired up some riders and a selection was made.
Then, as I promised my coach, I attacked in the last kilometers, the only inpact it had was that the pack was now in a line, Crelan - Euphony guy's were not inclined in letting me go away.
Finally, it ended up in sprint between the strong men, where Kess Heytens (T3M) was the fastest. Julian Alaphilippe (ETX) took a good second position while I was finishing at a satisfying 5th position. [b]Louis Verhelst (ETX)[/b] also made the top10 as he took the 7th position.
"Well done guys, today we did great. Ju' you waited to long before going to the front and it costed you the victory, try working on your positioning.
Max I enjoyed seeing you attacking, too bad it did not work. Next time try when the road is going up, it will help.
Dieter, seeing you making the pace on the Kemmelberg was impressive, good job."
After the words of the coach Julian and I decided to re-watched the finish to see where we had failed. He always want perfection in his rides as I do and we immediately became friends thanks to that.
A stage race has nothing in common with a one day race and I today I realized that it was not made for me, it's all about saving energy for the next days and even in the finish you think of the next day.
The Race: The race started quite well for the team as Florian Senechal (ETX) got into the morning breakaway. In the pack we were taking car of Patrick Konrad as he was our leader today.
The finish was really hard and the lack of race day made it even harder, the rhythm was too much for me and I dropped back in the first ascent of the day.
Meanwhile, Patrick was also struggling to stay in contact with the best men of the day and he lost 2'39" on today's winner Davide Mucelli, the italian from Ceramica Flamina - Fondriest.
"Okay boys today was not our day, I don't understand what happened but sometimes when the legs are not responding, there is nothing you can do. Anyway, congrats Flo for your breakaway, the condition is here for you, you should try again tomorrow.
Tomorrow might end in a sprint and I want you to be present in the finish as we have three good sprinter in our squad."
I was feeling sick last night and I was really not at my best, the team decided to bet on Daniel for this stage with me as lead out if I was feeling better toward the finish.
The Race: Like in stage 1, we had a guy at the front so we did not have to do any work in the pack. Lukasz Wisniowski (ETX) was riding with 3 other guys and together they resisted to the pack until the last kilometers where Funvic Brazilinvest had really upped the pace.
As I was feeling better, Florian Senechal (ETX) brought me with Daniel Hoelgaard (ETX) in my wheel to the front so we could prepare our sprint.
The condition was back and all I wanted was to bring Daniel in the best position.
Unfortunately, there were better than him as he could only finish 3rd. Johim Ariesen from Cyclingteam Jo Piels took the victory.
I was surprised by my legs and as I had some left, I sprinted to get the 6th position of the stage.
"Good job guys, great lead out Max, to bad Dan did not managed to hold on the stage but it will come sooner or later you can be sure.
Lukasz you did well in the breakaway and at a moment I thought you could have made it till the end congrats.
The others, you did your job as you had and I thank you for that."
This morning, I felt way better than the past few days and I was ready to take on the fight. The profile was perfect to my skills, and the downhill in the finish could only be in my benefit.
The Race: And that was another day with an Etixx guy at the front, Louis Verhelst was our man inside a 7 rider-breakaway. He won all the intermediates sprint to bring some bonuses back home. His work at the front avoid us making any efforts in the pack and it was great.
Everything was going great for us when, as we were reaching the sprint, Daniel Hoelgaard lost my wheel , I was supposed to lead his sprint but he eventually got blocked by some riders and when I looked behind me he was not there. I shouted to Florian to delay his effort as he was now supposed to launch me.
The finish was slightly uphill and since I was perfectly launched by Flo, getting back on me would be very hard, I managed to keep my advantage over my opponents and the line was getting close. I was to afraid to celebrate before the line as I recalled that in junior when I lost for a inch because I celebrated to early.
Once the line was crossed and I was sure I had win, I raised my arm to the sky as I had just get my first Professional Victory. It was thanks to the work of a whole team, thanks to Dieter Bouvry who protect me from the wind, fought for my position in the pack and also to Karel Hnik who took care of my need and of course to Florian who did a perfect job in the finish.
After I thanked all my team mates, I was rushed to the podium. That feeling when they say your name and when the public cheers is so strong I almost missed a step and fell to the floor, I will remember this day.
"Guys, you did perfect today, I knew this would happen and it happened, congrats. Louis great day in the break you took all the points and bonuses you could. Flo you led Max out perfectly, there is nothing to say except congratulation and Max I hope you enjoyed it today because now you have to focus on tomorrow's stage which could bring you another success.
Daniel, What happened? you were perfectly position and you lost contact let's hope tomorrow will be a better day for you."
After the debriefing, I received a call from my mother who was proud of me, she was missing me and she is glad I'm making this blog so she can follow my results.
What better feeling than the one I had this morning when I saw the Jersey of the Points Classification in my room as I was its wearer today. My roommate Dieter helped me to fix my bib on my back before the race and the last stage of that race was on.
The Race: As yesterday, Louis Verhelst was in the breakaway, he also won all the intermediate sprint even if there was no fight for it at all.
Having Louis at the front allowed us to take things easy in the pack. We were counting on a sprint like in the previous stage with another good result from us. We still helped a little in the chase as I wanted to defend my Green Jersey.
In the final, Flo did his job, Daniel frustrated from yesterday wanted to sprint by himself and he refuse to led me out, I accepted that as I had no choice but having him in my wheel was not what I expected.
In the last meters Daniel passed with an Argentinian in his wheel that took the victory away from him, from us. I was furious because Dan had helped another team to get the victory when I could have easily get it.
We failed miserably as Dan ended 2nd, I ended 3rd and Flo took the 4th position.
Young: Antonio Santoro | Ceramica Flamina - Fondriest
Team: Ceramica Flamina - Fondriest
" I don't understand, really I'm trying but I don't. What were you thinking Dan giving that Argentinian the win, he used your power to take the win away from us. I'm really disappointed but I'm sure it won't happen again, will it?
No I'm sorry coach, and Max It was not against you at all that I did that, I did not think on the moment and now I really regret it.
It's okay, I may not have won either, the best thing to do is to look forward an try to forget what happened.
Thanks Max."
After that conversation, the coach came to me and said that I already had the behavior of a true leader and that he appreciate my gesture toward Dan.
Kattekoers 
Julian Alaphilippe
Félix Vidal Celis Zabala
Luke Roberts
Volta ao Aletenjo / Crédito Agricola Costa Azul 
Davide Mucelli
Alex David Mayer Arseno
Carlos Ivan Oyarzun Guinez
Ivan Rovny
Patrick Konrad
Johim Ariesen
Daniel Hoelgaard
Francisco Ramón Chamorro Piva
Bjorn Selander
Lukasz Wisniowski
