and Antwerp ("A" can be quite accessible depending on where you are staying. <br /><br />Underneath the event location will be the distance of the race and number of laps. The distances are normally between 100-120km and are on small circuits making the racing spectator friendly. Next is the prize fund, generally a minimum of 25000BEF (£400), which goes down to 20th place. In addition to the overall prizes, primes are paid out on most laps. It will also indicate if further prizes are paid down to either 30th or 40th place. Occasionally start money is paid, it is quite a culture shock queuing up in the town's bank to sign on and then receiving money with rather than handing it over for your start number. The address of the headquarters is next, followed by the time signing on starts and closes and the time the event starts. Finally the address of the changing rooms is shown. Normally signing on is in a café with the changing rooms in anything from an old sports ground to someone's garage; so don't expect a shower afterwards! Eau de Cologne is cheap in Belgium so get some and take a flannel with you. If a third address is shown, this being where numbers are handed back and prizes collected from if different from the signing on. If you are not sure where this is, a good trick is to follow the judges when they leave the finish area! <br /><br />Events are entry on the line only, with the exception of a few evening criteriums which are entry in advance as they have a maximum field of 30-35 riders. There is no entry fee, just a deposit on your number. Normally this equates to £1 to £2 and you should get most back when you hand in your number at the end. Race number 1 is reserved for the Belgium National Champion, so start panicking when you sign on if this has been taken. Almost as important as your racing licence is a supply of safety pins as none are supplied. The officials might tell you to affix your numbers on the left side of your jersey ("links" or the right ("rechts" <br /><br />A point to remember is that if there is a Beloften/ espoirs (under23) race on in the province you plan to race, you must go to that race if you are under 23, or race in another province. You can not ride Elite zonder contract.(any Elite races in the province are over 23 rider only races, which are also a tad harder then the mixed normal races) <br /><br /> <br /><br />The Racing. <br /><br />Think of the fastest road race or criterium that you've ridden and add on 10%. It is rare for kermesses to take in any serious climbs but quite normal for the bunch to be travelling along the straights at 35mph (56km/h) every lap. If there is a climb watch out though as Belgium logic seems to be to go even faster and get over it as quickly as possible. A similar approach applies to any cobbled sections; don't get out the saddle and tap over the smoothest section, just shove it in a big gear and attack them. When it's windy, the first 7 riders are in echelon formation, whilst the other 50 are suffering like dogs in a long thin line in the gutter until they crack!<br />The great thing about the races is that they are always held with rolling road closures and are normally superbly marshaled. It is common for the first lap to be little more than a parade lap to get to know the circuit, so expect a lot of shouting if you attack from the start. Make sure you've had a decent warm up as once the action starts, attacks come thick are fast and frequent with riders being shelled out all the time. If a break goes, don't expect any help getting across; riders sprint across one at a time; no "through and off". This can feel a little negative at first although you soon get used to it. Don't expect to finish the full distance, as unless you are in the lead group you will be pulled out early. This tends to make judging easier and provides better entertainment for the crowd (yes there is always a good crowd). With prizes going a long way, it is always worth sprinting for a place and the last lap is normally indicated by the commentator shouting "laste ronde". Occasionally, this doesn't happen so keep an eye out for the chequered flag in the latter stages.
<br /><br />cheers!
. We have a couple of race tracks around the country that can be used for this type of thing. The route is a bit more difficult, but that can only make it more exciting.
