Ed Veal’s European campaign
Ed Veal made a big impression in Belgium recently. On April 23, the 37-year-old rider from Queensville, Ont. sprinted to fourth place at a kermis in Bever. Earlier in the week, he finished 19th in the general classification, and 11th on the third stage, at the Arden Challenge, a hilly, four-day race in Wallonie. Veal was participating in a three-week Cycling Canada development project in Europe with the men’s endurance track program, which includes Sean Mackinnon, Eric Johnstone, William Elliot and Aidan Caves. The campaign is aimed at fostering fitness for the upcoming team pursuit at the Commonwealth Games. The fast, aggressive racing in Belgium has spurred Veal to a new level on the bike. “I love to race; training, not so much,” said Veal. “Racing brings the best out of me. There are things I can pull off during a race that I could never do in training. The coaches think it will make me faster on the track so I’m all in with the program.”
For Veal, racing in Europe is a new experience. “It is very fun. It has been crazy though. We have had 270 riders most days and there is so much energy in the field. There are always 60 to 80 guys ready to go. Some of the courses have been like crits, just 130-km long.” The Arden Challenge, Veal’s first stage race outside of Ontario, was especially difficult. “That was a suffer-fest; the last day was murder. Even though I’m at my lightest ever, I’m still 189 lb., which is good for track, but this stage racing is another beast. The coaches are pretty impressed: the fat guy can suffer!”
Jokes aside, Veal’s results are very good and the rewards are coming accordingly.“I just found out that I made the squad for Ireland,” he said. That race, the eight-day, UCI 2.2 An Post Ras, which begins on the May 18, will come after two weeks of training on the track in Los Angeles; the team raced two final kermis this past weekend and then leaves Belgium for the Californian boards. They will fly back to Ireland later in the month for that next bout of stage racing.
It is a demanding program, but Veal is taking it all in stride.“I like to have fun, win or lose,” he said. “I’m going to try racing at this new level and still be a beer-drinking dad with a balanced life. I said ‘try.’ It is a challenge sometimes, but I had a Duvel today.” How does he feel about his European showing? “I am happy. I didn’t know what to expect—ignorance is bliss. I finished every race and had a few where I was gunning for the win.” That win might be coming.
