Category Archives: Countries

10 Miles of Antwerp

Tags :

Category : Belgium , Racing , Running , topsportdefensie

I have ran the 10 Miles of Antwerp this weekend.

My sponsor/partner Sportoase asked me to participate with their team, in order to win the Team Ranking. It was the first time that I competed in this race, and a first time that I would tackle a longer distance runrace… I am not used to running more then 10k at a high pace, but it would be a good training in order to prepare my next goals (WTS Yokohama, Leeds).

I ended up in 9th spot, just under the 51 minute barrier (50:59). A bit disappointed of my running split, but after two weeks of good training it was not easy to go any faster today.

Sportoase won the Team ranking. Many thanks to them, they had a very good organization for their runners so all went wel.

It was a great event, so maybe till next year!

Greetings,
Simon

Results: http://www.chronorace.be/Classements/Classement.aspx?eventId=1186579204860344&mode=large&IdClassement=14983

World Cup Miyazaki: 4th place!

Category : Japan , Racing , topsportdefensie

One week after the Tongyeong World Cup in South-Korea, Simon improved his 5th place with a 4th place at the Miyazaki World Cup in Japan. Not enough to get on the podium, although he was racing in the front of the field for the whole day. In the end, three guys were faster then him when they went down the last finishing straight.

The season is over now! After a lot of health issues (mononucleosis) in 2015 and at the beginning of 2016, Simon could work his way back to some great fitness. Improving his world ranking to a 55th place at the end of the season! He is already looking forward to 2017! And racing with the best in the world in WTS races again!

Many Thanks for supporting him!

Video Report World Cup Miyazaki

Tags :

Category : Japan , Racing , SMO-Specialized , topsportdefensie

A 4th place finish for Simon in the Miyazaki World Cup. A good way to finish the season on a high. But it’s a pity that he didn’t meet the criteria for his status as an elite athlete in the Belgian Army. He needed a podium finish on a World Cup and got pretty close with a 4th and 5th finish in the last two World Cups of the season.

World Cup Tongyeong: 5th place!

Category : Racing , SMO-Specialized , South-Korea

Another day of racing in the World Cup circuit. I had a strong day here in Asia and was happy to race at the front of this race, but in the end I got beaten by four stronger guys!

Swim wasn’t so good, and I was more time behind then I was hoping for after the swim leg. No other option then putting the hammer down on the bike! Some other strong riders and me worked hard on the bike, and after 18k we could bridge up with the front of the race! I felt strong on the bike and I knew there was still some energy left for a strong run!

Thanks to a good second transition I could start running at the front of the group and so I tried to get out and set a fast pace to get some pressure on the other runners. After 2,5k on the run, the Americans took the game in their hands and put down the gas! So, on the last hill of the run course the pack would get ripped apart… I could not stay in contact with the leading five, and was struggling! Somehow I found some extra energy and bridged up to the front and with 200 meters to go I tried to surprise them and attacked just before the finish. They could easily counter my move, and so I got dropped again and finished in 5th position!

Happy to be racing at the front in the World Cup series, and having a good result!
Next will be Miyazaki next week, hoping to improve this result!

Greetings,
Simon

results: http://www.triathlon.org/results/result/2016_tongyeong_itu_triathlon_world_cup/281603

Video: T3 series Lille

Category : Belgium , Racing , SMO-Specialized

Simon wins the Belgian Championship Olympic Distance!

Category : Belgium , Racing , SMO-Specialized , topsportdefensie

Simon wins the Belgian Sprint Championship!

Category : Belgium , Racing , SMO-Specialized

Strong race, and gutsy performance! Simon wins another Belgian Title, his first one since 2013.
Great joy, and proud to have an other “trocolore” jersey around his shoulders!

Sylvester Run Leuven

Category : Belgium

I may not be there yet, but I am closer than I was yesterday.

My season 2015 ended today with the sylvester run in Leuven, my hometown. It is a tradition for many years to finish the year with this great run in the city of Leuven. As every year, many people I know on the side of the course, or even competing themselves. It makes the atmosphere unique!

Offcourse, I still had to run 12k, and I suffered a lot. First k’s went good, but after 4k on 20k/hr pace I had to choose my own pace and let the leaders go. Jesse Stroobants, Jelle Geens and Dennis Laerte were to strong for me today. But I was satisfied with the pace I could run for the twelve kilometers, and I did my best run of the year. So I am improving, and looking forward to 2016! First some extra months of training before the next competition… I hope to be ready by then.

Results

I also like to thank my employer, Belgian Defense, for deciding to support me for the next year. After a difficult season 2015, I am lucky that they are still on my side and keep supporting my career as an athlete. So I can stay focussed on the things that matter: training and racing.

Best Wishes for everyone in 2016! Stay healthy!
Greetings,
Simon

BOIC-training camp in Lanzarote

Category : Lanzarote , Training

Nice group and good training camp: the perfect combo to start the season’s preparations!
Greets,
Simon

WTS Tongyeong: tough year

Tags :

Category : Racing , South-Korea

Last weekend the 2015 triathlon season finally ended for me.

It has been a very tough year, both physically and mentally.(And my last race in South Korea hasn’t been any different.) After suffering a mononucleosis infection at the beginning of this year, I never managed to regain my best fitness level. Although I did experience some moments of success (for example the good performance at the Military World Games two weeks ago, where I finished 4th individually and 3rd as a team with my Belgian team mates), my out-of-shape body prevented me to perform at a high level in the international races.
Saturday I lost too much time in the swimming stage and it soon became apparent that I wouldn’t be able to catch up during the cycling and running. Especially mentally, it was tough mentally to keep going. I considered stepping out of the race but I kept going, out of respect for the organization, for my sponsors, for my employer…

Now it is time to rest. My body needs it. My mind needs it. I’m looking forward to a two-week rest after which I’ll begin the slow build-up towards 2016. In 2016, when my body will be 100% again, things can only go better.

 

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