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Glad to present you newsletter #6 of 2025 with HQ content, updates, race program, new partner and new partner products, my goals for the upcoming months + date from my latest FTP test. Hope you will take the time to read and feedback is always welcome!
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Looking back
Trainingscamp
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After the UCI series in Denmark and Luxembourg and my visit at Eurobike the gravel calendar was quite empty. I decided to plan a two-weeks trainingscamp in Tuscany. First three days in Tirol, after that to Loro Ciuffenna, a small village, 40 km from Florence. The weather was beautiful and the region too, so it was really nice to train there and focus on the second part of the season. To ride the course of Strade Bianche was always high on my bucket list and now I’ve done it, and I did a full recon of the UCI Gravel Serie Monsterrando-Strade Bianche Monferrato too. This will help me a lot in three weeks.
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GravelOneFifty
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Before trainingcamp I had two races on the program, The UCI Gravel Serie GravelOneFifty in The Netherlands and a National Road Classic in Nijmegen. After two full-course recon rides I was ready for GravelOneFifty. It was very nerve-racking with lots of turns and sprints out of the corners. After 40 kilometers, this wore me out and I had to let go the first group of 40. I was able to maintain a steady pace and caught up with another group 10 kilometers before the finish. In the end, we rode for P38, but a sprint was not in my legs anymore. In the period that followed, I trained specifically on this, because I notice that the intervals in the races are not on point yet what cost me a short result. The National Road Classic, in function of the gravel races, went well and I finished in the first group after a punchy, rainy race.
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FTP-test
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After receiving my new gravelbike, (more about this below 🤩), I decided to buy accurate power pedals from Favero. I like them very much and with rhese power pedals it’s easy to train in my trainingzones. I did an FTP test on the Zwift bike to determine my current zones and the results are giving me confidence for the upcoming races with an FTP on the same level as May 2024 (410W, 80.5kg, 1.93m).
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Looking Forward
Coming months are busy with every weekend a race. Looking forward to it and worked hard to be in the best shape. This period started with Heathland Gravel, followed by two UCI series which suit me, Sweden and Monsterrando. These two races are my big goals on short term. Below my full program:
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15-17/08: UCI Gravel Grit ‘n Grind Sweden
23/08: UCI Monsterrando Strade Bianche Monferrato
29/08: MAAP Summer Crit Amsterdam
30/08: UCI Houffa Gravel Belgium
06/09: Road Criterium Sint Pancras (NED)
07/09: NL Gravel Serie Medemblik
12/09: MAAP Summer Crit Amsterdam
14/09: National Road Classic Oostellingwerf
20/09: UCI Sea Otter Europe Gravel
28/09: NC Gravel Raalten
04/10: NL Gravel Serie Gasselte
12/10: WC Gravel Maastricht & Beek
26/10 – 01/11: Gravel Burn South-Africa
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MAAP SummerCrits
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Among them two MAAP Summer Crits in Amsterdam, this are of course not real races but just to represent MAAP in a good way and I like to ride on the circuit of Sloten, Amsterdam.
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Gravel racing, but different.
This weekend I took part in Heatland gravel, the second edition with a unique format. Not a typical race from A to B where the first rider across the line wins. Instead, the race was based on timed segments spread across the course. The total time on these segments counted towards the final results. A format that rewards tactical riding and consistent speed, I really enjoyed it.
The event was organized by Flanders Classics, and they had everything well arranged. On Saturday evening, Jasper and me were invited for a live podcast hosted by Athletic Affair and Fantasy Gravel, it was nice to tell our stories over f.e. UNBOUND.
Sunday was race day. At 8 AM 750 riders rolled out for a 160 kilometer ride, with 130km timed segments. I had a strong start and found myself in the front group of seven. Unfortunately, I suffered a flat tire and lost contact with the leaders. In the end, I came in 22nd with my total times.
A solid weekend and a great warm-up for the important upcoming UCI-gravel races in Sweden and Italy the next two weekends!
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New partner products
Wilier Rave SLR ID2 + Miche Graff Aero 48
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At the beginning of July, I received a package from Wilier that made me so happy. The new Wilier Rave SLR ID2 in Pixel Green with the new launched Miche Graff Aero 48 wheels. The Rave ID2 is a significant improvement over the first Rave. Super aerodynamic, easier to handle on technical parts of courses, and the biggest advantage: enormous clearance, even 60mm tires fit in the bike.
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Schwalbe Instagram Take Over
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On July 28 I took over the Schwalbe.tires IG account and made a story of my day. Quite coincidentally, I did the recon of the UCI Course Strade Bianche Monferrato on this specific day ;-) A lot of questions about which tires to use next month and positive people made it nice to do.
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Virtuoos Clear Whey Gold Recovery Shake Ice Tea & Peach flavor
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In July, Virtuoos had some great discounts during the Tour de France, including the Clear Whey Gold recovery shake in the limited edition Ice Tea - Peach flavour. After a hard training session, there's nothing better than drinking a cold recovery shake in my favorite flavour. It's even tastier when you make it with sparkling water.
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New Nutrition Partner, TORQ.
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Half July I switched from Nutrition partner. After receiving a test pachakge from TORQ, I was quickly convinced. Great communication and a wide range of high Quality and tastefull fuelling that fits my needs and requirements perfectly. I switched because my previous partner was unable to deliver due to logistical problems. After several promises that they were unable to keep, I made the decision and switched to TORQ. This feels like a big step forward, a relatively small family business from the Netherlands with a lot of ambition!
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Thank you for your support
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Thanks for taking the time to read my newsletter and if you have additional questions or special wishes for content, please let me know. You can always reach me by phone or e-mail.
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