*Chapter 23*

Parting Of Ways

 
 
The others were already at Der Mühle when we arrived, the party was last night but we were in the ‘function’ room where we found not just the BC team but George Müller, the boss of Apollinaris cycling and the Pinger’s.

“Caro!” Mum exclaimed when she spotted my godmother.

“Jenny, long time no see.”

Their exchange caused a few heads to swivel and when they recognized Mum, jaws to drop.

“Dad, why’re George and the Pinger’s here?” I queried.

“You’ll find out later.” Dad promised.

Sounds ominous. Hang on, Pinger’s, is Kat here?

“Looking for someone, Bond?”

I nearly jumped out of my skin.

“Shitza, Kat, don’t do that!”

“The look on your face.”

I poked my tongue out in reply.

“So you are some big hero for your team, eh?”

“I wouldn’t say that, Mark won more and Josh did most of the grunt work.”

“Pah, it’s your name on the winner’s trophy, that’s what counts.” She observed.

“So how come you’re here? I thought we were just coming to dinner.”

“No idea, momma just said for us to come, something for George I think.”

 
 
By now my rents and Caro had gravitated to where the other adults were chatting so Kat and I headed to where my team mates were now discussing what they thought was going on.

“Guys, this is my friend Kat, her mum rides with mine.”

“Hi,” Kat supplied.

“Told you!” Claire crowed.

“Alright clever clogs,” Sal allowed, “you win.”

“Win?” I queried.

“Claire reckons the woman over there is Maria Pinger.” Laura told us.

“It is,” I confirmed, “that’s Kat’s mum.”

“Don’t you know anyone who’s not famous, Drew?” Darren queried.

“Well I know you lot.” I grinned before having to dodge a few slaps aimed my way.

I suppose I have at least met a few famous people, let’s see there was Lance last year, oh yeah JK Rowling at that con, you could count the other pro’s I’ve met, the Olympic squad. Can’t think of anyone else, oh yeah Prince William – probably trumps the rest but I’m not admitting that meeting to anyone here!
 
 

“Okay everyone, settle down, you’ll have a chance to speak with our guests after we’ve eaten.” Steve announced.

The mention of food is usually enough to calm this lot down and as I had spotted Christina and her colleagues hovering by the kitchen door just after we arrived, delivery of food was imminent. The adults started to find themselves seats and us mere riders claimed positions on the other table.

“You joining us?” I asked Kat.

“If no one minds, they’ll be talking shop over there.”

Christina’s mum came for the drinks order – I ordered Radler for everyone, as near to alcohol as we’re allowed. Some of the table were very enthusiastic about having her on our table, don’t those guys ever think about anything else? Last night it was ‘Gaby’, tonight it’s Kat’s turn to be lusted over.

“So, Kat, you go to school with Drew?” Laura asked.

“No I’m at college now.”

“What’re you studying?” Darren queried.

“Sports science.”

“Ooh, cool – I wouldn’t mind doing that.” Sal allowed.

“She has a placement with the women’s team,” I put in.

“You go to the races? Don’t you ride?” Claire continued the interrogation.

“Not all the time, I have to attend college of course. Momma would like if I raced but it’s not for me, the only bike I ride is my Schauff.”

The blank looks at that needed an explanation.

“Big clunky thing, like those Dutch bikes - I’ve got one for riding to school.” I admitted.

“Food!” Jamie announced as the soup course started to arrive at our table.

 
 
The thin vegetable soup didn’t really go far in filling stomachs however the steak in pepper sauce soon made up for that and chatter was replaced by chomping. It would’ve been better with real chips but let’s face it, pommes are almost the national dish and to be honest I can’t even imagine schnitzel with English chips. Dessert was red berries and cream, goodness knows why they don’t have real puds or even a decent portion.

Our Chief stood and got our attention as the coffee arrived, “Okay folks, time for some introductions and explanations. I’m sure you recognise Drew’s mother next to Caroline, then we have Maria Pinger Apollinaris team captain with her husband,” he pointed to each in turn, “and finally next to me here is George Müller, director of the Apollinaris cycling teams.”

The others attention was now captured, personally I was just curious as to why the Pinger’s and George were here.

“I’m sure you are all aware by now that Mr. Bond runs the junior team and I think you’ve met the other riders in Switzerland that Josh and Drew race with here in Germany?”

A few nodding heads confirmed that assertion, before Mr. Brailsford continued.

“We mentioned briefly that we were hoping to get a placement scheme in place to give you more experience and Dave has, with my permission, been liaising with George in regard to this with much more success than I could have hoped for. George would you like to continue?”

“Ja danke, Dave,” George allowed as he stood to address us.

I looked over at Dad, he grinned back like the cat with the cream.

“Gut efening everyone, you must excuse mein English, the Bondts are teaching me but I’m a poor student eh, Jenny?”

“I’ve had worse.” Mum grinned.

“So, a little history first, the Apollinaris ladies’ team was originally part of the Eifel RSV competing in the national series and sometimes into neighbouring countries. Five years ago we signed up with Apollinaris as main sponsor and joined the professional ranks quickly gaining some success through Maria here and the other local based riders. An increased budget allowed us to recruit Jenny three years ago. More success and encouragement within the community allowed us to start the Jüngere team, originally with just four riders last year, increasing to five this season with great success.”

He paused for a sip from his coffee cup before continuing.

“That’s the history lesson over, so to today. When British Cycling approached us earlier in the summer we were a little surprised but we listened and were intrigued. It wasn’t as I first thought a request for sponsorship but instead a truly interesting coaching scheme. I have to admit that after making some enquiries I thought the idea was water against the wall but Dave convinced me to keep a more open mind.

And so I have met with Dave and his team, we have talked with Apollinaris and also the German Federation and we have come to an agreement. You don’t need to know the finances involved but Apollinaris will provide sponsorship for your development team in the UK and we will also register a second team here in Germany to allow competing in our fierce national series that of course Drew won for us this year.”

Yup, I coloured up, so what?

“In addition we will facilitate an extra place on our own Jüngere team for a British rider. Whilst the new team will be based here in the Ahrtal, as riders you will usually stay in the UK, traveling to the races from there. Your management team will tell you more detail, it only leaves me to welcome you to the Apollinaris family, wilkommen!”

There might only be ten of us but we made enough noise for twice that number.

“Okay, calm down,” the boss requested. “Thank you, George. So people, you are the first to hear about this, there will be a press release on Monday so we’d like you to keep a lid on it until then. Which brings me to why I asked everyone to bring this weeks spoils along tonight, Herr Pinger will be taking some pictures for the announcement so I hope you didn’t get covered in any of that excellent meal.

I’m sure that Jenny and Maria will answer some of your questions, we haven’t decided who is doing what yet, we’ll be discussing that with you individually in the coming weeks.”
 
 

This really is a big deal. It certainly throws a new light on Dad’s presence for the trip to Italy and Switzerland.

The rest of the evening was a round of photographs, more Radler and an encroaching melancholy. The ten of us, and the coaching team of course, have been together – eating, traveling, and training, for twelve days and before that, those four weeks in blighty for most of us. That all ends tonight, I know it’s only a week until the Worlds but it’ll be strange not sparring with Mand over frühstuck, joking with Cav and the guys although I won’t miss all those different beds!

It was after ten before the pseudo party broke up.

“See you next week, Drew.” Mand offered giving me a hug.

“Yeah, safe journey home.”

“Make sure you bring Gaby to Denmark.” She whispered in my ear before releasing me.

What?

“Take care, Drew.” Mark slapped my shoulder before I could pursue Mand’s departing statement.

“And you.”

The farewells continued, not just for me of course, Dad and Josh were likewise doing the auf wiedersehn bit.

“So, Drew, we’ll see you next week,” Caro mentioned.

“Try stopping me.”

“Well last night nearly put the cat amongst the pigeons.”
“Yeah,” I agreed.

“Dave’ll be talking to the Federation when we’re in Denmark to try and get some ruling to allow us and you to go forward. Male or female, there’s a place on the squad but we need to get things settled, it’s not fair on anyone to keep things as they are.”

“I guess, you know my position, Caro.”

“I also know that you can’t keep the beautiful young woman that joined us last night out of sight for very much longer.”

“I can cut my hair, get some tattoos.”

“She’ll still be there, kiddo.”

I sighed, “Yeah, worst luck.”

“Next week.” She pulled me close and kissed me on the top of my head, “Look after yourself.

“Both of me.” I tried to joke but it was a bit flat.

 
 
Friday morning arrived shrouded in mist, not unusual in the valley this time of year – it’ll be hot later if it goes as normal.

“You coming, kiddo?” Dad prompted.

“Just getting my shoes.”

“Well hurry up, I’ve got to get Josh to Dusseldorf for twelve, you know what that road’s like.”

Yeah whatever.

Thirty minutes later I was astride my bike in the Apollinaris yard waiting for Mum and the girls to turn up.

“So, next week then, man,” Josh offered.

“Yeah, been a good trip.”

“It’s had its moments, first time I slept with a girl, like.”

“Who? Where?”

“Youse, yer daft sod!” he grinned.

“I, a….” yeah my usual level of conversation and if the heat in my face was anything to go by I now sported an unbecoming shade of red.

“Next week, Blondie!”

I was still sat there wordlessly staring after the departing car five minutes later.

Maddy Bell © 16.03.2014