When it comes to racing in Singapore, only Australian Ashleigh Gentle can claim to do it better than Pieter Heemeryck, after the Belgian picked up his second successive PTO podium in Marina Bay.
Last year, the former teacher raced into an early lead, and was only caught by eventual winner Kristian Blummenfelt on the run. This year, deploying a more conservative approach, the PTO World #7 finished strongly to take third.
Revealing that his heat preparation for the sweltering Singapore climate had involved nothing more than a single sauna session before flying out to South East Asia, Heemeryck says he hopes to continue to impress in the heat as the season progresses.
“I am surprised, because I didn’t do any heat preparation”
Having spent the past couple of weeks preparing in the cold and wet countryside of Belgium, even Heemeryck himself was surprised by how well he did in the heat and humidity.
“I think I showed again that I can race with the best guys in the sport. I am surprised, because I didn’t do any heat preparation, apart from going in the sauna the day before flying and I am from Belgium, which doesn’t have the best of weather.”
Discussing what else might have contributed to his brilliant performance, the 34-year-old admitted the course did suit him, and said he is looking forward to the hotter races still to come on the tour.
“I think the course suits me, but I don’t know why I do so well here. It is good for me because there are some other races that will be in the heat and I am looking forward to those ones.”
“I am going to do all eight races”
With his sights set on a good result in the overall standings, Heemeryck shared his plans for the rest of the year, as he growingly looks like a dark horse contender for the T100 Tour title.
“The plan for me is to grow into the season and I think if you plan to focus on the last races of the calendar with the Grand Final, that will be what counts for the guys who are trying to win the series.
“I am going to do all eight races in the tour, I like to race but I am either very good or dropping out of the race, so I think the season will be very long and I am looking forward to the rest of the races.”
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