Last few weeks have been crazy busy. I've really gotten into the race rhythm and couldn't find any time to get back here. But I'm here to make up for that now. The race wasn't originally planned on my schedule but I'm extremely happy the team has made the efforts to bring me here. Tour de l'Isard is about to kick off. It's a U23 event, with lots of climbing to be done. Finally I get a chance to step up and show what I can do, against contemporaries. Is it foolish to dream of a top 5? We'll find out.
But before going there, one of my season objectives has passed. You may have caught it on cyclingnews or Sporza, but I did quite well.
Liège - Bastogne - Liège U23
Preview: Not the best name for this race. It's actually just Bastogne - Liège. But suits me fine. I do better without the long distance. It's a race that should suit me reasonably. I haven't done that well in hilly races so far this season, lacking the punch to keep an effort of 2 minutes on steeper slopes. Lack the power a bit. But it's against a U23 field here and the climbers are more to my liking, some a few kilometers.
Without any idea of what to expect, I started the race.
U23 races can be treacherous, though. A peloton lacking experience and it caused me to be caught behind in a later group. I could've kicked myself in the head for not paying attention more!
Even more so because I couldn't quite feel my legs that day. I had great legs and no chance to prove it. Still, the terrain got heavier and I decided not to sit up and forfeit. I escaped from the chasing group with two other fellas and went looking for the front of the race.
We picked up riders left and right, so we knew we were doing well. But the finish was nearing. I'm not much of a sprinter but after such a race, it's down to who has any punch left in his legs and I did. Too bad it was only for place 5, but I can't be unhappy with my final 20 km.
If only I hadn't been caught behind. What could've been? It's not wise to ask those questions, though. I'm disappointed but proud at the same time. I would've signed for a fifth place beforehand, but not this way.
So now I'm really looking forward to the Tour de l'Isard, and the Tour de Pays de Savoie. Two U23 races I could do well in. Actually, I have to do well in them. This is my big chance. If I don't do well in these races, my season has failed, and I might not get a new contract. My career could be over before it ever well started.
These upcoming events are crucial. I'll learn if I have what it takes, or if I better go home and get out of this racket. So keep your fingers crossed for me!
Recent Results
This is an overview of my recent results. I didn't have time to get an update out every time, but as you can see, nothing significant has happened. Though Hadeland GP was also a decent effort on my behalf. Didn't get close to the top 10, but 13th and 2nd of the team was a nice surprise after a good race.
More important things coming up now.
See you there!
Jonas
A good comeback in the end. Must fill you with confidence going into the next races. Possibly could've been even more special though. Lack of experience on Jonas's part I guess...
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
AbhishekLFC - Yeah, in those races it's easy to get caught behind if you don't pay attention much. Didn't want to sit in the wind but was too far behind in the pack.
trekbmc - There'll be plenty of chances
DiCyc - I agree! Thanks.
sutty68 - Top 5 was the big dream so no regrets there!
jandal7 - I'll be waiting to earn that banana
Luxemburger - Thanks, hope you enjoy it!
As you can see, not the pace of my older stories. But life is different from 2-3 years ago Next update probably a bit later today! Hope the slower pace isn't a dealbreaker for you, but I can't guarantee a fast pace at the moment
Once again, it's been a while. But let me tell you, trying to make it as a cyclist and combine this with studying isn't exactly a piece of cake.
Nevertheless, I've just made some huge steps forward in the right direction. Allow me to fill you in. I did quite some racing lately, so I'll keep it short, not to bore you with the details!
Ronde de l'Isard
The Race
Ronde de l'Isard offered me a profile I could work with. The big favorite for the overall ride was Herklotz, and the German didn't disappoint. For me, it was a first real test of my climbing abilities against contemporaries. No time trial, so I had that to my advantage.
The mountains suited me fine, and on the first day I even took the initiative. The opening stage would prove to be my best, ending on the podium and only missing out on the victory by a mere ten meters. I had no punch left for a sprint, and that cost me a potential victory.
In the following stages, the legs sort of stayed the same. I could climb quite well, but I couldn't place any real accelerations. I thought my form had something to do with that, but it may be something else. I'll get into that later.
There were three men way stronger than me, and I had no means to battle them for the podium. But I was the best of the rest, and I proudly returned home with a fourth place in the general classification.
No victory in the opening stage, but a good day nonetheless.
Good enough to climb with the best, but always lacking in the final kilometers.
Tour des Pays de Savoie
The Race
Louis Vervaecke won this race last year, and that gave me hope to content for a bit more than a 4th place here. After l'Isard I hadn't been standing still, I trained hard to be in top shape for this race. Despite the time trial, I had some great ambitions here. This is the place for me to secure a contract for next season, to launch my career from.
I faced the same problems I did in Isard. Despite climbing well, I struggled accelerating. It's become quite frustrating, knowing I could do better but my legs just don't follow.
But there was nothing to be done, and so I rode my own tempo for most of the race, and it payed off. After the time trial, which was shorter and hillier than I thought (I finished 11th, even, so no time loss!), I found myself in third place. The last mountain stage would be extremely important, an uphill finish.
I rode away at the foot of the climb, finally being able to accelerate decently, and quickly got over 30 seconds. Only one man would claw his way back to me slowly. I thought I had it, I should have, with over 40 seconds with only 2 kilometers to go.
But in that last kilometer, I completely crashed and burned. Alexey Vermeulen fought his way back and I tried to keep something in the tank for the final sprint. I did my utmost best but couldn't summon the strength to compete in the uphill sprint.
And so an almost sure victory slipped through my fingers and turned sour. However, minutes later I heard I had taken enough time back on the overall favorites and actually came out on top of the general classification! I had won the Tour des Pays de Savoie!
Playing catch-up in the descent to limit my losses.
Me in one of my better moments, having some punch in my legs.
Getting a small gap, last stage.
The gap increasing - a victory in the making?
Submitting victory, but gaining enough seconds to win the overall classification.
A great moment in my young career!
Aftermath
When I lost that final stage in Savoie, I was so disappointed. But now I'm back home, I can see what I did. I won the Tour des Pays de Savoie and that ought to put me on the map for the following weeks, when teams are looking to offer contracts to new riders.
Had I rather won the stage than the classification? I can't say. I'd love to raise my arms coming up a mountain top, but I'm proud of what I realized and I take it as it comes.
Future Problems?
After the race, and with the National Championships coming up, I had an important sit-down with my trainer. I talked to him about my problems lately. He told me the reason might be external, a disease, bacteria, virus, whatever.
If that's true, I hope we can get rid of it. Because I'm not the youngest U23 rider around and I don't have all the time of the world to grow into this sport. I'm already 22 and I have a limited window of opportunity.
We're undergoing tests right now, so let's hope there's improvement in the air. I know I can do even better than I'm doing now! Despite the amazing victory.
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
Good news! I'm finally graduated! It's been a tough time with the racing and studying, but it's payed off. My exams/papers are all behind me and I'll soon have my diploma. Which means I can try to go for my cycling career 100% and still have something to fall back on if it should fail.
And with that, I went to the first race with top names in the field. The National Championships.
Belgian National Road Race
The time trial event did not went well, but that was to be expected. However, I had high hopes for the road race. My big ambition? Get tv time. Get noticed.
As you know, the start of a race is always hectic. I tried my best to break away and get in the breakaway of the day - tv time guaranteed!
The terrain was rolling but the peloton was not keen to let a group go too quickly. The big teams all wanted a man of their own in the break. With the wind blowing hard, it was a tough job to get in the break.
Finally I managed to break away. Me and some other guy even took a minute. But when the peloton opened the gas again, we got caught. Merciless. When the break took off, I did not have the energy to go with them. I missed my shot.
In the end, Tom Boonen conquered. He continues his amazing season after podiuming Vlaanderen and winning Roubaix a record fifth time. I didn't reach my goal today, but it was great riding alongside this sport giant, even if it was only for a second.
Not the race I was hoping for. But all in all it was a nice day, and I take the experience with me.
Full Result
1
Tom Boonen
Etixx - Quick-step
5h42'29
2
Roy Jans
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
3
Tom Van Asbroeck
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
s.t.
4
Kris Boeckmans
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
5
Jonas Vangenechten
IAM Cycling
s.t.
6
Edward Theuns
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
7
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
8
Jasper Stuyven
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
9
Kenny Dehaes
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
10
Tiesj Benoot
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
(...)
84
Jonas Van Maldeghem
Team 3M
+ 9'33
Aftermath
So no tv time for me. Still, my recent climbing in France has not gone unnoticed. My manager informed me there is an interest in me. He'll let the offers come and then lay them out to me when the time is right. Topsport Vlaanderen is said to be interested in offering me a contract, even Wanty has been named. But my manager even says I could hope for a (future) World Tour team to pick me up. Names like MTN, Lotto and Giant have been mentioned, but I don't think they have made me an offer particularly. All I can do is keep doing what I'm doing and hope for the best!
It just doesn't end, lately. It's the time of the year for the mountainous stage races but - hey, I'm not complaining! Still, it's been tough on me, being away from home so much. Luckily I've got my team mates. I wouldn't call them my best friends, but it's nice to talk to them and at least we're not traveling alone.
My last real chance of the year to prove something was in Italy. I'll tell you all about it!
Giro Ciclistico della Valle d'Aosta Mont Blanc
The first day was tougher than expected. A fast pace made for a stressful race but luckily I finished inside the peloton, no time loss. As I was targeting the podium here, this was important!
The second stage was good for me. I managed to finish third and just a few seconds behind the race winner. My legs were feeling better by the day!
But then, on the third day, my podium ambitions collapsed. I had some stomach problems and was dropped on the first climb of the day. Only the last ten kilometers I pulled through a bit and still managed to finish 12th, albeit with a 15 minute gap to Laurens de Plus. Any chance to fight for the race win here was brutally cut short.
I have to thank my team mate Martijn Degreve, though. He stayed with me for most part of the race and brought me back to the second peloton in the downhill after the first climb.
But the thing about stomachs is, they get better. And sometimes, miraculously fast. The next stage was flat, all I had to do was hang in there, I did.
My form was still good, and on the fifth stage, I proved it. I saved all my energy for the last climb and went full gas from the start. I left behind De Plus and even got a few minutes on him! Of course, I was no longer a threat to the GC, so maybe he let me ride.
Unfortunately, one rider of a breakaway group who got away midrace was still up front and so I finished 2nd.
And so we went into the final race day. A mountain time trial. Basically just a solo climb, no TT gear whatsoever. I don't like time trials, but that has nothing to do with this race. I managed my effort pretty well and crossed the line after a strong finish. Provisional first!
But luck was not on my side as De Plus proved he is the best climber in this field. Another second place for me. A stage win keeps eluding me!
I could sit in a corner and cry because of my terrible third stage. I could whine because De Plus is three years younger and obviously the better rider. Except that I could never do that. I'd much rather look at the positive things and try to take those into the next race.
So what went right? Well, I feel like I'm growing into a decent climber fast. Yes, I'm one of the oldest in the field and I haven't won a stage, but I'm one of the top contenders going uphill in this U23 league.
The U23 results usually don't mean that much anyway. People change. Some U23 stars never amount to anything with the pros. Some of the very best pros were nowhere when they were younger. My future isn't set in stone. I'll have to work hard and make it my own.
And this concludes my goals this season. I've returned home and all that's left for me are flat Belgian and Dutch races. No chances for me to shine. But plenty of chances to give back to the team and work for my team mates. I leave the mountains behind me. With my results, I hope at least one PCT team will consider me and offer me a contract. If not, I gave it a shot, at least.
Next few weeks are important, I'll keep you updated!
Jonas
I know, I'm not the best blogger. It's been months since my last update. But I never said I'd be telling my entire life story here.
Things have been quiet on the racing front. I did some races but here in Belgium I just can't get my legs to work properly. I need mountains.
Because of some unfortunate injury, I missed the Tour de l'Avenir, which was a blow, I admit. After my decent performances in France and Italy, I was invited to ride in Tour de l'Avenir but I had to stay home with a knee injury. You can't be careful enough with knees, so I let them heal properly.
And so we've reached the end of the year. First, here's a few things I don't want to keep from you!
2015: The Pros
Despite my ride in the National Road Race, I didn't really see any of the top cyclists, but that should've been expected. I raced a lot of U23 races and some .2 and .1 races.
So what did the stars do this year? Here's a small overview of the seasons biggest races along with a top 10 for the World Championship races. Because of my obvious lack of flat riding, I wasn't invited to the cobbled U23 World Championships.
World Championships - ITT
World Championships - RR
So a big party for Germany as they take two World Titles. The Belgians played a vital role in the Road Race, but despite riding aggressively, we didn't manage any medal at all.
My Debut Season
My highlight was definitely the three stage races during the summer, if you remember. A win in Tour des Pays de Savoie was an amazing success and I'm still feeling great about that. I'm still very proud of my performance there.
Here's what I did after the National Championships. Besides Aosta Mont Blanc, which I reported from, nothing much, nothing worth while. But I did my duty to the team and my team mates, and earned some money. You can't live on medals, you need money to buy food, right?
Milestones
Meanwhile, I've found a place of my own. No more living at home with mom and dad. No, I'm spreading my wings and moving into a small apartement. At least, that was the plan, until...
The Future: 2016
I can't say I was the best U23 rider of the season, far from, actually. But I think my performances in Isard, Savoie and Aosta Mt Blanc were above expectations. So you can imagine how shocked I was when Team 3M informed me they wouldn't be prolonging my contract. They want to concentrate on the Belgian scene more, and the many races abroad were taking up too much of their funds.
And suddenly I was out of a job. I went straight to my manager. Any of those rumors turned into a real contract offer? Unfortunately, no...
And so, on the 21th of October, I'm a cyclist without a team. If I don't manage to land a contract in the next ten days, my career in cycling is over.
Liège - Bastogne - Liège U23 
Ronde de l'Isard 
Giro Ciclistico della Valle d'Aosta Mont Blanc 
