When the shit hits the fan, go bush!

Yesterday it was back to racing UCI races starting with a UCI 1.2 starting In Wavre. it was to be a 185km race with some cobble sectors and some short sharp climbs in the first 50km followed by flat roads all the way to the finish.
The morning was very humid and about 26 degrees, but as the start time approached the temperature dropped and with 2 minutes to go until start time the heavens opened. i had made sure i was in pole position at the start and as soon as we were rolling was on the bumper of the lead car for the 3km neutral section, which is the best place to be because you don't have to fight as hard to stay there.
The flag was pulled in and with the race finally underway the usual furry of attacks were starting, and with the treacherous conditions, early climbs and flat run in to the finish i decided it was likely that a small group would be let go, with the bunch coming back together on the long flats leading into the finish. but it was not to be so i made sure i was at the front for the first of the climbs sitting at 3rd wheel at the base, but as soon as the road turned skyward i missed the 23 and put it strait in reverse :( i was maxing out but still going backwards at an alarming rate but managed to hold onto last wheel cresting the top of the climb.
Unbeknown to me immediately following the climb would be the first cobbled section of about 500m down the other site. With a downhill gradient of about 10% and slicked with the usual water and mud there was carnage. bottles fall out of cages, riders try to avoid them and with no grip and no brakes down they go. In total about 60 of the 190 starters were lying on the road, 15 of which were hospitalized. As for me being last wheel I got to witness the lot but thankfully i managed to point my steed to the side of the road hop the curb and ride down the mud/gravel shoulder past the twisted bikes and motionless riders, and my team mate Pavo who had found a way through the maze of bodies. i waited for him for a few seconds and then chased him back to a group of 5 riders about 30 second off the rear of the front group, until i poped and found myself slipping back to the 2nd chase group, then the third, and the.....the broom wagon, which was filled with bruised beaten and soaked riders.
Only one of our riders was in front of the crash and made the lead group, so it wasn't a particularly good race for the team.