Betting

Thurday's race in Jonkershove-Houthulst was the first one where we noticed betting going on. They are pretty darn well organized. Registration closes 15 minutes before the race, but by the time the riders roll to the line everyone in the crowd has a printed sheet with a list of entrants -- not sure how they get this done. Then at the cafe where we register, two guys write down all the riders' names on a whiteboard and post the "morning line." Mitch did well on Tuesday night, so they had him at 12 to 1 on the first lap, the rest of us were at 20 to 1, which is the longest shot they will give you. As people get pulled (or in my case, flatted out), they erase names from the board and lower the odds on everyone else. At one point Mitch was 8 to 1 and Ryan was up to 10 to 1 -- that was when they were in the lead group of 14. Sadly, 6 guys attacked and got 30 seconds or so, and Mitch and Ryan's odds started heading in the other direction ... ultimately, Mitch came in 11th and Ryan came in 13th.

My plan for paying for this trip: 100 euros on Ryan at Sunday's criterium. BOOM.