Category Archives: Racing

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

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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!

WTS Tongyeong: tough year

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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.

 

YES! We did it!

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Category : Racing , South-Korea

Today our Belgian military team won the bronze medal in the Military World Games!

It was a great experience to be on that podium together with Bart, Thomas and Marten next to Korea and Brazil.Individually I ended 4th, not far from the podium. But I must admit that the numbers one, two and three were too strong for me today. After a fairly good swimming number (in a turbulent sea), the head of the race regrouped during cycling. I got a good start at the running, but after 1,5km I could no longer follow the fastest runners. Halfway through the race I had dropped back to 9th but, after a while, I got back into my rhythm and was able to move up to 4th place. Running felt a whole lot better than the during last few races and I felt great.

This race boosts my morale for my preparation for the last race of the season in Tongyeong (South Korea) in two weeks. Thanks to the Belgian delegation, which contributed to this unique experience. #topsportdefensie

Flashforward and throwback to the Military World Games

Category : Racing , South-Korea

Although the major triathlon of the year takes place tomorrow evening (Belgian time) in Hawaii, I won’t be there. My teammates and I will appear tomorrow morning (6:00 Belgian time) in Pohang (South Korea) at the start of the Military World Games.As a team we’ve a reputation to defend: four years ago the Belgian team won a bronze medal. Bart, Marten, Thomas and I will try to match this result, but it’ll be pretty difficult, since two figureheads of Topsport Defense are starting in Hawaii and not in Pohang. (See photos from the podium in 2011 to find out who these toppers are!) Our main competitors today are the French, the Brazilian and the Russian team.

Teamvictory of the day and the final ranking victory!

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Category : Belgium , Racing

Yesterday I joined my SMO-specialized teammates at the start of the T3 series in Lille. With both the men and women we were in de running for the final victory of the circuit. While winning the victory of the day for both men and women we also had the final victory!
Enjoyment for athletes, fans, management and sympathizers.
Obviously we had to compete first. After a great swim I was in the head group with 3 of my teammates. De first 4 athletes of the day determine the team ranking and our biggest rival (Atriac) didn’t have any athletes in the head group. So while on bike we pushed really hard and widened the distance systematically. While running we kept our position and the victory of the day was ours!

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