Soon into my training ride i was asked by a rider from another team, Takasaki Osowono, to do a 1km individual pursuit against him for a bit of fun. He was one of the worlds best riders as well as being well known for his great personality. Luxembourg did not actually have their own training centre so we were forced to have our first duel at the well known Roubaix velodrome. It would be just two laps and fasted time round the track would win. We set off I was just hoping not to get caught by the time a reached the end. At the end of the first lap i looked across to my coach, who was symbolising I was up on my time. Now I began to power my way round the bends, no thought of going slowly, into the back straight. I didn't dare loo across to the other side of the track in case I lost my aero position. I powered my self into a sprint for the final lap. I lunged for the line, pulled up the track and looked for any sign of Takasaki Osowono behind me, nowhere. By the time I had stopped in the centre my coach had the results, I had lost by 500ths of a second to the former pursuit world champion. I began looking forward to the new season

So, I had started my new training schedule. I had about a week to prepare for my first documented race, The United Cup Round 1. This was they Biggest event in the Pro Track racing calendar, excluding the World Championships. I would be competing in the Individual Pursuit, as well as the Omnium. Saying I was nervous would be an understatement.

My team, ZUNO Bank, had their first big meeting today. We would all get a chance to meet the other riders, for me, however, this was hard as I was the only track rider. I began to talk to the team's only Slovenian, Luka Zangic. He was very nice in telling me about his five junior European Championships, and all I had to say to him was that I came 4th in my Clubs senior championships.

The Training was hard, I would spend hour upon hour perfecting my start or my aero position. I had been training so far with my old second hand helmet and gloves and other equipment. The Team Director called me into his office. My hands were shaking. I walked in, expecting a lecture. Instead he produced the shiniest, most stunning helmet the world has ever seen. I slid it off the table and tried it on. It was perfect. He called me round the back of his desk and asked me which visor I would like from his selection. I went for the black with a purple stripe down the middle for our team. I knew this was going to be great!

I was the first person to ever ride on the track, and I did it with style. I had been given loads of rubber wristbands branded with ZunoBank's new cycling motto, "Pain Is Temporary, Victory Is Forever" to throw into the crowd. I went round the top of the velodrome high-fiving people and throwing wristbands into the crowd. As the crowd slowly weakened, my coach told me to begin my training.

I began my training routine for the upcoming Nederland-Belgie Trofee Today and I was practising my quick acceleration for the omnium Scratch and Points Race. I started training and I felt myself picking up some real speed when my front wheel collided with a wristband on the track. My body was flung onto the boards and I was heading down the track fast. I covered my body as I saw the huge glass panels nearing. I smashed into them head first. My coach came sprinting over. I wasn't injured I was just shaken up. I was allowed to finish early today so I headed home to the cold refreshment of a cool beer.