Yesterday’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège brought the first major portion of the season to a bittersweet close with a win for Alexandre Vinokourov. Vino’s win begs several questions, the answers to which depend upon your perspective. Was yesterday’s result a victory for redemption—proof that even the most tarnished riders can earn a chance for atonement in the sport’s biggest races? Or, was the race nothing more than confirmation that cheaters really do rule the sport—more spit in the eyes of those naive enough to think progress really has been made?
Controversy aside, it will be interesting to see how many of yesterday’s top-10 finishers do the same in this year’s Tour de France. With at least 6 riders capable of high finishes in Paris, it’s easy to see the effects that Liège-Bastogne-Liège’s new place on the calendar has had on the early season programs of Grand Tour riders.
Here’s what we noticed:
1. We begin with the yesterday’s winner, Alexandre Vinokourov. A last-minute starter, Vino must have caught a quick flight from the Tour of Trentino, a race he won in semi-convincing fashion. A cunning rider, Vinokourov took advantage of a lull in the action following the Côte de la Roche aux Faucons, a smart move considering Contador’s presence in the group behind. Were it Iglinsky, Grivko, or any other rider from Astana, we would call the move a textbook example of team tactics: send your second-best rider off the front to set things up for your best rider should the break get caught. Unfortunately for the fans, Astana’s second-best rider just so happens to be one of the sport’s most detested.
Like it or not, Vino deserves credit for the win—he won the race fair and square, so to speak. As for his past, he doped, he was caught, and he was suspended. Now he’s back, and like it or not, we have to grant him the right to win races under the assumption that he’s doing it cleanly. That said, I still think he’s a jerk—and there’s no suspension for that. Just because he wins doesn’t mean we have to like him.
2. As soon as Vino starting missing pulls yesterday, you I knew Katusha’s Alexandr Kolobnev was doomed. I wonder if Vino had convinced him that he had nothing left, or that Gilbert, Valverde, and Evans were closer than they actually were. Whatever the case, Vino’s final attack was perhaps the most obvious race-winning move of the Classics—aside from Cancellara’s Paris-Roubaix pocket angel, that is.
Despite the loss, Kolobnev had fantastic week with aggressive rides in all 3 races from Amstel to Liège. Kolobnev now has top-10 finishes in 3 World Road Races, 2 Olympic Road Races, 2 Liège-Bastogne-Liège’s, 1 Amstel Gold Race, and 1 Tour of Lombardy to go with the win he took in the first edition of L’Eroica in 2007. Clearly, this guy’s due for a major win sometime soon—and he’s only 28.
3. As for Alejandro Valverde, Philippe Gilbert, and Cadel Evans, they did everything they could once they realized they had let the cat in with the pigeons (my favorite Ligget-ism).
Gilbert tried his best to make the race with Andy Schleck on the Roche aux Faucons and attacked valiantly on the Saint-Nicolas hoping for one last miracle. Luckily for Gilbert, he took the win last Sunday in Amstel, otherwise he might have found himself lumped-in with Tom Boonen, the victim of yet another series of near-misses. His consolation prize for the day is the World #1 ranking. Now he heads to the Tour of Romandie—a race he could very well win—before enjoying a well-deserved rest before the Belgian Championships.
Valverde rode solidly but never really seemed in it to win it—as if his head weren’t in the game. He too heads to Switzerland for Romandie—will he finally get his season’s first important win?
And Evans? His rode impressively yesterday, at one time bridging-up solo to Valverde and Gilbert. He now heads to the Giro as one of the top favorites for the overall victory—can he take the first Grand Tour win of his lengthy career?
4. As for Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador, I had hoped that Contador’s acceleration to join Schleck and Gilbert on the Côte de la Roche aux Faucons was going to be the move of the race. Unfortunately, negative racing and a lack of any real impetus from the trio doomed the move, paving the way for Vinokourov’s attack moments later. I was a bit surprised to have seen less of a Saxo Bank presence earlier in the day, perhaps that’s the result of an over-taxed team in major need of a rest before summer.
5. Credit Euskaltel’s Igor Anton for quietly taking top-10 finishes in both Flèche and Liège. Anton’s only 27 and has top-10 finishes in both Romandie and the Vuelta on his resume. Could a breakthrough be in the cards for the young Basque? And speaking of Euskaltel, where’s Samuel Sanchez been hiding?
6. As for the North American contingent, while many had their hopes up for something more, Chris Horner (8th) and Ryder Hesjedal (13th) finished just about where they should have given the competition. Great job, guys.
7. Thomas Voeckler seems to be beginning his summer crescendo for BBox while Team Sky’s Simon Gerrans finally decided to pop his head into the top-15 of a major race this season. Does another solid summer beckon for the Australian?
8. As for Rabobank, the German Paul Martens was the squad’s best finisher following ten days of solid riding going all the way back to the Brabantse Pijl. And Robert Gesink? 16th is a good result for the young Dutchman, but it’s far from where his potential and talent dictate he could be.
9. And what about Italy? Remember the days when the Italians used to rule La Doyenne? Stefano Garzelli was his nation’s top finisher in 18th, while perennial Ardennes contender Damiano Cunego could manage no better than 21st. The Giro begins in less than 2 weeks, the tifosi are becoming anxious.
10. Speaking of Italy, Liquigas underwhelmed me yesterday. Vincenzo Nibali was the team’s top finisher in 29th, while pre-race favorite Roman Kreuziger came home in 51st. Maybe Romandie and the Giro will begin turning the team’s season around.
11. And last but not least, Jérôme Baugnies was Belgium’s second-best rider following an impressive 23rd-place finish. It might not be worth writing home about, but it’s nice to see young riders from smaller teams performing well in the world’s biggest races.
And just like that, the classics are behind us. I’ll be spending the next two weeks wrapping things up while still trying to find some time to take a look at what’s ahead. I’ll also be giving some awards and taking a look back at the effects the various calendar changes had on the racing we witnessed (as well as some suggestions for 2011).
To everyone, thanks for your support and comments over the past several weeks—keep it coming!
As always, share your comments and feedback below!
Showing posts with label wrap-up. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wrap-up. Show all posts
Monday, April 26, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Flèche Wallonne Wrap-up
If you’re a frequent visitor to Pavé, you might have noticed a rather interesting conversation taking place via the comments to my Flèche Wallonne Preview. Apparently Cadel Evans’ rainbow jersey was not enough to convince many of you that a renaissance might beckon for the temperamental Australian. Unfortunately it’s not always possible for me to respond to reader comments from work, so I was forced to suffer the slings and arrows of your discontent from the sidelines—until Evans won, that is.
Here’s what else we noticed:
1. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve never been a big fan of Cadel Evans either. But that doesn’t prevent me from giving credit where credit is due. Evans timed his sprint to perfection, catching and passing a fading Alberto Contdor just meters from the line. I liked that Evans gave credit to his DS, John Lelangue, for insisting that he pre-ride the climb despite the fact that Evans has raced it several times in the past. Now the question remains: just how well can Evans do Sunday in Liege?
2. As for Alberto Contador, yesterday’s 3rd-place finish should be filed under “tactical mistakes”. While we can forgive Euskaltel’s Igor Anton for his suicide move up the Mur de Huy; Contador deserves criticism for overestimating himself and underestimating the climb. I feel like I can actually see the moment when he realizes, “S***, the line’s not where I thought it was!” Contador gets a shot at redemption Sunday, but for a man not known as a master strategist, a victory might prove to be just out of his reach.
3. Katusha’s Joaquin Rodriguez atoned for his poor showing last Sunday with a fine 2nd-place in Flèche. That said, given the aggressive rides by Sergei Ivanov and Alexandr Kolobnev, one cannot help but think the Russian squad wanted more. Credit Ivanov and Kolobnev for doing their best take matters into their own hands on several occasions. Kolobnev’s move was reminiscent of his last gasp attack in the waning moments of the Amstel Gold Race. Two races, two riders, two identical tactical displays—will things fall into place on Sunday?
4. Damiano Cunego went one better than his 6th-place in the Amstel Gold Race, an indicator that he might have timed his form just right for Sunday. It’s hard to believe, but Italy has yet to win a classic this year. That could change Sunday if Cunego gets his way.
5. The first “group” crossed the line 11 seconds behind Evans, including major favorites Philippe Gilbert, Alejandro Valverde, and Andy Schleck. These men are right on schedule for what looks to be one of the most exciting battles of the season on Sunday. Chris Horner and Ryder Hesjedal were in this group too—could a North American score an upset Sunday?
6. Landbouwkrediet’s Bert De Waele deserves praise for another fine result following his 4th-place ride Sunday in Amstel. With another top-10 performance this Sunday this Belgian might find himself in the Pro Tour next year—even at the ripe old age of 34!
7. Vincenzo Nibali climbed-in with Gilbert’s group as well—might I have underestimated his abilities in races of this sort? As long as Roman Kreuziger continues to race like a hyperactive junior, Nibali will have free rein to play his cards in race finales.
8. Robert Gesink and Daniel Martin arrived with the next gruppetto, 19 seconds back. I’m beginning to have less and less faith in Gesink’s abilities in major one-day races. As for Martin, he could prove a valuable asset to Hesjedal Sunday—the Irishman is clearly a super-talent.
And that’s that. As for the parcours, I guess some things never change—the Mur de Huy has always had an uncanny ability to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Oh gosh, I’m starting to sound more and more like Phil Liggett.
And if you have a chance, head over to Bicycling Magazine and check-out my new column as the Backseat DS. I’d love some feedback!
Have a great day--share your comments below.
Here’s what else we noticed:
1. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve never been a big fan of Cadel Evans either. But that doesn’t prevent me from giving credit where credit is due. Evans timed his sprint to perfection, catching and passing a fading Alberto Contdor just meters from the line. I liked that Evans gave credit to his DS, John Lelangue, for insisting that he pre-ride the climb despite the fact that Evans has raced it several times in the past. Now the question remains: just how well can Evans do Sunday in Liege?
2. As for Alberto Contador, yesterday’s 3rd-place finish should be filed under “tactical mistakes”. While we can forgive Euskaltel’s Igor Anton for his suicide move up the Mur de Huy; Contador deserves criticism for overestimating himself and underestimating the climb. I feel like I can actually see the moment when he realizes, “S***, the line’s not where I thought it was!” Contador gets a shot at redemption Sunday, but for a man not known as a master strategist, a victory might prove to be just out of his reach.
3. Katusha’s Joaquin Rodriguez atoned for his poor showing last Sunday with a fine 2nd-place in Flèche. That said, given the aggressive rides by Sergei Ivanov and Alexandr Kolobnev, one cannot help but think the Russian squad wanted more. Credit Ivanov and Kolobnev for doing their best take matters into their own hands on several occasions. Kolobnev’s move was reminiscent of his last gasp attack in the waning moments of the Amstel Gold Race. Two races, two riders, two identical tactical displays—will things fall into place on Sunday?
4. Damiano Cunego went one better than his 6th-place in the Amstel Gold Race, an indicator that he might have timed his form just right for Sunday. It’s hard to believe, but Italy has yet to win a classic this year. That could change Sunday if Cunego gets his way.
5. The first “group” crossed the line 11 seconds behind Evans, including major favorites Philippe Gilbert, Alejandro Valverde, and Andy Schleck. These men are right on schedule for what looks to be one of the most exciting battles of the season on Sunday. Chris Horner and Ryder Hesjedal were in this group too—could a North American score an upset Sunday?
6. Landbouwkrediet’s Bert De Waele deserves praise for another fine result following his 4th-place ride Sunday in Amstel. With another top-10 performance this Sunday this Belgian might find himself in the Pro Tour next year—even at the ripe old age of 34!
7. Vincenzo Nibali climbed-in with Gilbert’s group as well—might I have underestimated his abilities in races of this sort? As long as Roman Kreuziger continues to race like a hyperactive junior, Nibali will have free rein to play his cards in race finales.
8. Robert Gesink and Daniel Martin arrived with the next gruppetto, 19 seconds back. I’m beginning to have less and less faith in Gesink’s abilities in major one-day races. As for Martin, he could prove a valuable asset to Hesjedal Sunday—the Irishman is clearly a super-talent.
And that’s that. As for the parcours, I guess some things never change—the Mur de Huy has always had an uncanny ability to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Oh gosh, I’m starting to sound more and more like Phil Liggett.
And if you have a chance, head over to Bicycling Magazine and check-out my new column as the Backseat DS. I’d love some feedback!
Have a great day--share your comments below.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday Musette - Amstel Gold Race Wrap-Up
Phillippe Gilbert finally took a victory in a major spring classic, winning yesterday’s Amstel Gold Race with an impressive surge up the final ascent of the Cauberg. It was an exciting finish to a rather quiet race, as the favorites seemed content to wait until the final to begin testing their legs.
Here’s what I noticed:
1. Credit Gilbert for another aggressive performance in a major classic. Gilbert covered, attacked, chased, and still had something left at the end to take the win. I’ll admit I was a bit surprised to see him pull it off—I feared he went on the attack too early, perhaps overestimating his fitness. And credit Jurgen Vandenbroeck with some fabulous teamwork in support of his captain—without his efforts to bring back Sergei Ivanov between the Fromberg and Keutenberg, we might have had a different result. Now Gilbert heads into the Ardennes as a top favorite to take both Fleche Wallone and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, a serious threat for the first “Triple Crown” since Davide Rebellin’s in 2004. And while we’re at it, let’s credit Gilbert for an excellent spring including top-10 results in Milan-San Remo, Ghent-Wevelgem, the Tour of Flanders, and the Brabantse Pijl. If he continues his winning ways, he might just make Belgium forget about its lackluster cobbled campaign.
2. As for Ryder Hesjedal, he has to be the happiest rider ever to lose a race following his 2nd-place performance. Hesjedal’s evolution from mountain biker to elite roadie is well-documented. Following an impressive ride in Pais Vasco, the Canadian seems primed for more success over the coming days. While the Muur de Huy might be a tough sprint for him to win, Liege-Bastogne-Liege might suit his talents a bit more. With Christian Vandevelde and Daniel Martin joining the team in Belgium, it looks to be a good week for Garmin.
3. I completely omitted Astana from my race preview Saturday, a terrible oversight considering I’ve been one of only a few to consistently herald the team’s recent performances. While hindsight’s always 20/20, I’m not at all surprised by Enrico Gasparotto’s 3rd-place finish considering his aggressive riding thus far. With Maxim Iglinsky, Andre Grivko, and Gasparoto, Astana’s future in the northern classics looks bright. And with Alberto Contador arriving in time for the Ardennes events, Astana’s successful spring looks certain to continue.
4. When Bert De Waele burst from the peloton midway up the Cauberg, I momentarily wondered if Belgium’s first major win of the season might come from the most unlikely of places. My hopes were immediately dashed, but chapeau to De Waele for his 4th-place finish. It’s been quite a year for Belgian Continental teams, as teams like Topsport Vlaanderen and Landbouwkrediet have more than proven they deserve invitations to bigger races.
5. As for Liquigas, Roman Kreuziger took 5th-place while Vincenzo Nibali came in 21st. The duo rode well yesterday, ultimately falling a bit short in the end. Clearly, Kreuziger’s the more aggressive of the two, while Nibali might be more suited to a role as a super-lieutenant. Fleche is a race well-suited Kreuziger’s talents, especially with Nibali covering attacks and perhaps driving the group into the bottom of the climb. All in all, with two more races and two incredibly gifted captains, there’s still hope for a big win at Liquigas.
6. I was pleased to see Damiano Cunego’s competitive performance yesterday. Clearly he’s rid of the sickness that knocked him out of Pais Vasco, and ready to make a serious attempt at winning one of the Ardennes classics. His Lampre teammates rode cohesively to position him well for the finale—a good sign heading into Fleche and Liege. If Cunego continues to progress between now and Sunday, Italy could grab its first win of the classics.
7. Led by the Schleck brothers, Saxo Bank rode another aggressive race—even though they fell short in the end. Of the two, Andy clearly appears to be the stronger man—he put in some attacks that could have been devastating had he been willing to see them through. When it was all said a dn done, Frank ended the day better than his younger brother, but I think Saxo Bank’s “all about Andy” at this point. With one more week in his legs, the champion of Luxembourg will be ready for a repeat at Liege. As for my pre-race pick, Jens Voigt failed to finish—we’re both looking to Fleche for some redemption.
8. As for Vacansoleil, Marco Mancato’s 8th-place finish was the best they could muster—but not for lack of trying. Mancato and teammates Johnny Hoogerland and Bjorn Leukemans rode an aggressive and tactically sound race, doing what they could to force a selection before the race re-entered Valkenburg. Vacansoleil has inexplicably not been invited to the Ardennes, so Amstel was effectively the end of the team’s classics campaign. But with several high finishes in the major cobbled classics, I think the Dutch squad has enough reasons to consider the month a success. The first item on Vacansoleil’s “To Do” list? Re-signing Bjorn Leukemans.
9. BMC’s Karsten Kroon led the squad Sunday with a respectable, yet unspectacular 9th-place finish. World Champion Cadel Evans raced true to his word, closing gaps and reeling-in attacks to set-up his Dutch teammate for a possible home win. (Too bad he wasn’t racing for Phillippe Gilbert this time.) Evans looks ready to tackle the races in the Ardennes, perhaps boosted by newfound confidence following his world title in Mendrisio. With Gilbert and Cunego arriving in terrific form as well, we might get a replay of last year’s fireworks.
10. Chris Horner carries the hopes for Team Radio Shack. His 10th place bodes well for the next 2 races, but it’s hard to see Horner overcoming the likes of Gilbert, Cunego, and Valverde. Still, stranger things have happened and could again—especially if Horner happens to find himself in a break with top favorites more eager to stare at one another than cover surprise attacks from a savvy veteran.
11. As for Rabobank, before the race, would you have thought the team’s first finisher would be Paul Martens? Would you have bet not one of the team’s riders would finish inside the top-10? Robert Gesink raced aggressively, but faded toward the end; while Oscar Freire did well to arrive at the bottom of the Cauberg fresh and in good position before succumbing to riders more suited to the Cauberg’s steeper pitches. In the end, it was a disappointing day for a team expected by many to be the strongest in the race. Look for Gesink to rebound at Fleche Wallone where distance won’t be a limiting factor.
12. Last but not least, give credit to Katusha’s merry band of Russians for doing their best to take the race into their own hands. Sergei Ivanov and Alexandr Kolobnev put in several attacks, hoping one would stick. Kolobnev came closest—he had a decent gap heading into the final climb but fell victim to the surges of fresh chase group. Joaquin Rodriguez abandoned after being dropped in the last hour. If he can rebound in time for Wednesday, Katusha might have what it takes to avenge yesterday’s near-misses.
And what about you? Were you as bored as I was during the first hour or two of live coverage? Please share your comments and insights below.
Come back tomorrow for a preview of Wednesday’s Fleche Wallone. And if you’re in the area, consider joining us at Sunday’s Fools Classic, a terrific classic-inspired ride in scenic Bucks County. Pre-registration’s open for another few hours!
Have a great day!
Here’s what I noticed:
1. Credit Gilbert for another aggressive performance in a major classic. Gilbert covered, attacked, chased, and still had something left at the end to take the win. I’ll admit I was a bit surprised to see him pull it off—I feared he went on the attack too early, perhaps overestimating his fitness. And credit Jurgen Vandenbroeck with some fabulous teamwork in support of his captain—without his efforts to bring back Sergei Ivanov between the Fromberg and Keutenberg, we might have had a different result. Now Gilbert heads into the Ardennes as a top favorite to take both Fleche Wallone and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, a serious threat for the first “Triple Crown” since Davide Rebellin’s in 2004. And while we’re at it, let’s credit Gilbert for an excellent spring including top-10 results in Milan-San Remo, Ghent-Wevelgem, the Tour of Flanders, and the Brabantse Pijl. If he continues his winning ways, he might just make Belgium forget about its lackluster cobbled campaign.
2. As for Ryder Hesjedal, he has to be the happiest rider ever to lose a race following his 2nd-place performance. Hesjedal’s evolution from mountain biker to elite roadie is well-documented. Following an impressive ride in Pais Vasco, the Canadian seems primed for more success over the coming days. While the Muur de Huy might be a tough sprint for him to win, Liege-Bastogne-Liege might suit his talents a bit more. With Christian Vandevelde and Daniel Martin joining the team in Belgium, it looks to be a good week for Garmin.
3. I completely omitted Astana from my race preview Saturday, a terrible oversight considering I’ve been one of only a few to consistently herald the team’s recent performances. While hindsight’s always 20/20, I’m not at all surprised by Enrico Gasparotto’s 3rd-place finish considering his aggressive riding thus far. With Maxim Iglinsky, Andre Grivko, and Gasparoto, Astana’s future in the northern classics looks bright. And with Alberto Contador arriving in time for the Ardennes events, Astana’s successful spring looks certain to continue.
4. When Bert De Waele burst from the peloton midway up the Cauberg, I momentarily wondered if Belgium’s first major win of the season might come from the most unlikely of places. My hopes were immediately dashed, but chapeau to De Waele for his 4th-place finish. It’s been quite a year for Belgian Continental teams, as teams like Topsport Vlaanderen and Landbouwkrediet have more than proven they deserve invitations to bigger races.
5. As for Liquigas, Roman Kreuziger took 5th-place while Vincenzo Nibali came in 21st. The duo rode well yesterday, ultimately falling a bit short in the end. Clearly, Kreuziger’s the more aggressive of the two, while Nibali might be more suited to a role as a super-lieutenant. Fleche is a race well-suited Kreuziger’s talents, especially with Nibali covering attacks and perhaps driving the group into the bottom of the climb. All in all, with two more races and two incredibly gifted captains, there’s still hope for a big win at Liquigas.
6. I was pleased to see Damiano Cunego’s competitive performance yesterday. Clearly he’s rid of the sickness that knocked him out of Pais Vasco, and ready to make a serious attempt at winning one of the Ardennes classics. His Lampre teammates rode cohesively to position him well for the finale—a good sign heading into Fleche and Liege. If Cunego continues to progress between now and Sunday, Italy could grab its first win of the classics.
7. Led by the Schleck brothers, Saxo Bank rode another aggressive race—even though they fell short in the end. Of the two, Andy clearly appears to be the stronger man—he put in some attacks that could have been devastating had he been willing to see them through. When it was all said a dn done, Frank ended the day better than his younger brother, but I think Saxo Bank’s “all about Andy” at this point. With one more week in his legs, the champion of Luxembourg will be ready for a repeat at Liege. As for my pre-race pick, Jens Voigt failed to finish—we’re both looking to Fleche for some redemption.
8. As for Vacansoleil, Marco Mancato’s 8th-place finish was the best they could muster—but not for lack of trying. Mancato and teammates Johnny Hoogerland and Bjorn Leukemans rode an aggressive and tactically sound race, doing what they could to force a selection before the race re-entered Valkenburg. Vacansoleil has inexplicably not been invited to the Ardennes, so Amstel was effectively the end of the team’s classics campaign. But with several high finishes in the major cobbled classics, I think the Dutch squad has enough reasons to consider the month a success. The first item on Vacansoleil’s “To Do” list? Re-signing Bjorn Leukemans.
9. BMC’s Karsten Kroon led the squad Sunday with a respectable, yet unspectacular 9th-place finish. World Champion Cadel Evans raced true to his word, closing gaps and reeling-in attacks to set-up his Dutch teammate for a possible home win. (Too bad he wasn’t racing for Phillippe Gilbert this time.) Evans looks ready to tackle the races in the Ardennes, perhaps boosted by newfound confidence following his world title in Mendrisio. With Gilbert and Cunego arriving in terrific form as well, we might get a replay of last year’s fireworks.
10. Chris Horner carries the hopes for Team Radio Shack. His 10th place bodes well for the next 2 races, but it’s hard to see Horner overcoming the likes of Gilbert, Cunego, and Valverde. Still, stranger things have happened and could again—especially if Horner happens to find himself in a break with top favorites more eager to stare at one another than cover surprise attacks from a savvy veteran.
11. As for Rabobank, before the race, would you have thought the team’s first finisher would be Paul Martens? Would you have bet not one of the team’s riders would finish inside the top-10? Robert Gesink raced aggressively, but faded toward the end; while Oscar Freire did well to arrive at the bottom of the Cauberg fresh and in good position before succumbing to riders more suited to the Cauberg’s steeper pitches. In the end, it was a disappointing day for a team expected by many to be the strongest in the race. Look for Gesink to rebound at Fleche Wallone where distance won’t be a limiting factor.
12. Last but not least, give credit to Katusha’s merry band of Russians for doing their best to take the race into their own hands. Sergei Ivanov and Alexandr Kolobnev put in several attacks, hoping one would stick. Kolobnev came closest—he had a decent gap heading into the final climb but fell victim to the surges of fresh chase group. Joaquin Rodriguez abandoned after being dropped in the last hour. If he can rebound in time for Wednesday, Katusha might have what it takes to avenge yesterday’s near-misses.
And what about you? Were you as bored as I was during the first hour or two of live coverage? Please share your comments and insights below.
Come back tomorrow for a preview of Wednesday’s Fleche Wallone. And if you’re in the area, consider joining us at Sunday’s Fools Classic, a terrific classic-inspired ride in scenic Bucks County. Pre-registration’s open for another few hours!
Have a great day!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Brabantse Pijl Wrap-Up
I was only able to catch the last 15 kilometers of today’s Brabantse Pijl, but I was impressed by what I saw. The changes to the course created an exciting finale, thanks largely to a finishing circuit containing 3 difficult climbs, including a steep drag to the finish.
Belgium held it’s breath as the 3-man all-Belgian breakaway fought to give the home crowd it’s first Belgian victor of an important Belgian race this season, while the select chase group with Phillippe Gilbert, Bjorn Leukemans, Thomas Voeckler , and Paul Martens (the latter two being French and Dutch, respectively) crept ever closer.
But the gap help, and as the leaders traded punches up the final ascent, it was easy to feel the pain in their legs. They seemed to beg one another to attack, thereby ending their shared misery sooner.
Here’s what I noticed:
1. It’s hard to believe Team Radio Shack has won a (semi-) classic and Quick Step and Omega Pharma-Lotto have not. Credit Sebastien Rosseler with what is looking to be the finest season of his career following a stage win in the Volta Algarve, a good finish in Roubaix, and now a win in Brabant. Along with Chris Horner and Tiago Machado, Rosseler and Radio Shack can head to Amstel and the Ardennes confident in their chances to take an even more impressive victory.
2. As for Thomas De Gendt, his 2nd-place finish continues the impressive performance of Topsport Vlaanderen this spring. The Belgian Continental squad now has 2nd-place finishes in both Ghent-Wevelgem and the Brabantse Pijl—that’s more than several Pro Tour teams can boast.
3. On the flipside, Jurgen Vandewalle’s 3rd-place finish continues Quick Step’s string of “close, but no cigar” finishes in major races—but not in a good way. The team now heads to Amstel and the Ardennes with no viable candidates for victories—unless Sylvain Chavanel and Carlos Barredo can turn today’s “training” into some top-level fitness.
4. Phillippe Gilbert seems right where he needs to be for the next 10 days. He cannot be blamed for assuming the day’s first breakaway would be caught and he rode aggressively to do what he could to take the win. It was the perfect warm-up for Amstel and the Ardennes, where he’ll certainly be a top-favorite. His teammate, Greg Van Avermaet, is riding well too; should Gilbert prove heavily-marked, he might get a chance to try for the win for himself this Sunday.
5. Thomas Voeckler deserves consideration Sunday as well following a solid performance in Brabant. His BBox team has been one of the biggest surprises of the classics thus far, playing a role in just about every race it’s entered.
6. As suspected, Bjorn Leukemans played an important role in today’s race, coming a bit short of the win I predicted. Leukemans is well-suited to the Amstel Gold Race; with teammates like Marco Mancato and Johnny Hoogerland riding well, the squad could score it’s biggest win to date—and on home turf no less.
7. And speaking of home turf, Rabobank appears set for Sunday’s Amstel Gold Race with both Oscar Freire and Nick Nuyens ready to try for the win. Freire seems particularly fast right now following his week at Pais Vasco. If Rabobank can bring the race together for the finale Sunday, look for Freire to grab the victory.
8. Karsten Kroon looked comfortable today, riding to a respectable 15th-place finish. Kroon’s likely to be BMC’s sole leader for Sunday in Holland—could he do what his more-heralded teammates could not?
9. And finally, give credit to Garmin’s Micheal Kreder for a terrific result (21st)—this kid’s clearly a talent for the future!
Overall, it was a terrific race, and perfect warm-up for Amstel, Fleche, and Liege. As word spreads, look for the start list to grow more impressive as well.
That’s it for me—share your comments and feedback below!
Belgium held it’s breath as the 3-man all-Belgian breakaway fought to give the home crowd it’s first Belgian victor of an important Belgian race this season, while the select chase group with Phillippe Gilbert, Bjorn Leukemans, Thomas Voeckler , and Paul Martens (the latter two being French and Dutch, respectively) crept ever closer.
But the gap help, and as the leaders traded punches up the final ascent, it was easy to feel the pain in their legs. They seemed to beg one another to attack, thereby ending their shared misery sooner.
Here’s what I noticed:
1. It’s hard to believe Team Radio Shack has won a (semi-) classic and Quick Step and Omega Pharma-Lotto have not. Credit Sebastien Rosseler with what is looking to be the finest season of his career following a stage win in the Volta Algarve, a good finish in Roubaix, and now a win in Brabant. Along with Chris Horner and Tiago Machado, Rosseler and Radio Shack can head to Amstel and the Ardennes confident in their chances to take an even more impressive victory.
2. As for Thomas De Gendt, his 2nd-place finish continues the impressive performance of Topsport Vlaanderen this spring. The Belgian Continental squad now has 2nd-place finishes in both Ghent-Wevelgem and the Brabantse Pijl—that’s more than several Pro Tour teams can boast.
3. On the flipside, Jurgen Vandewalle’s 3rd-place finish continues Quick Step’s string of “close, but no cigar” finishes in major races—but not in a good way. The team now heads to Amstel and the Ardennes with no viable candidates for victories—unless Sylvain Chavanel and Carlos Barredo can turn today’s “training” into some top-level fitness.
4. Phillippe Gilbert seems right where he needs to be for the next 10 days. He cannot be blamed for assuming the day’s first breakaway would be caught and he rode aggressively to do what he could to take the win. It was the perfect warm-up for Amstel and the Ardennes, where he’ll certainly be a top-favorite. His teammate, Greg Van Avermaet, is riding well too; should Gilbert prove heavily-marked, he might get a chance to try for the win for himself this Sunday.
5. Thomas Voeckler deserves consideration Sunday as well following a solid performance in Brabant. His BBox team has been one of the biggest surprises of the classics thus far, playing a role in just about every race it’s entered.
6. As suspected, Bjorn Leukemans played an important role in today’s race, coming a bit short of the win I predicted. Leukemans is well-suited to the Amstel Gold Race; with teammates like Marco Mancato and Johnny Hoogerland riding well, the squad could score it’s biggest win to date—and on home turf no less.
7. And speaking of home turf, Rabobank appears set for Sunday’s Amstel Gold Race with both Oscar Freire and Nick Nuyens ready to try for the win. Freire seems particularly fast right now following his week at Pais Vasco. If Rabobank can bring the race together for the finale Sunday, look for Freire to grab the victory.
8. Karsten Kroon looked comfortable today, riding to a respectable 15th-place finish. Kroon’s likely to be BMC’s sole leader for Sunday in Holland—could he do what his more-heralded teammates could not?
9. And finally, give credit to Garmin’s Micheal Kreder for a terrific result (21st)—this kid’s clearly a talent for the future!
Overall, it was a terrific race, and perfect warm-up for Amstel, Fleche, and Liege. As word spreads, look for the start list to grow more impressive as well.
That’s it for me—share your comments and feedback below!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Monday Musette - Flanders Wrap-Up
Sometimes it’s okay to be wrong, I guess. While I expected to have to wait another week for a real showdown between top favorites Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellara, and co., I was pleasantly surprised to see an aggressive and exciting race. Here’s what I noticed:
1. Hats-off to Fabian Cancellara for adding a third jewel to his Monument Crown. With victories in Milan-San Remo, the Ronde, and Paris-Roubaix, he’s only a Liege and a Lombardy away from completing the “Quintuple Crown”. I was wrong to think Cancellara wouldn’t have the acceleration and snap to handle attacks from the likes of Boonen and Gilbert—watching him ride away from Boonen on the Muur (in the saddle) I could see he clearly didn’t need it. Now, Spartacus heads to Paris-Roubaix as the odds-on favorite for another victory in the Hell of the North. Did you know the only non-Belgian rider to have completed the Flanders-Roubaix double was Swiss?
2. As for Boonen, there’s no shame in his 2nd-place performance; he rode a fantastic race and was simply beaten by a stronger opponent. He raced attentively, confidently, and clearly read his opposition correctly. And had his team done a better job in support of the Belgian Champion, he might have had just a little bit more left in his tank for the Muur. Luckily for Tommeke, he gets another chance at Cancellara this Sunday in Roubaix.
3. As for Phillippe Gilbert, for the second year in a row he occupied the podium’s third step. Had he been better placed for the Molenberg, he might have been able to follow the two leaders. He gets a rest now before continuing his spring campaign at Amstel and Liege. I have a hunch we haven’t seen Gilbert at his best yet; a Monument win is still a possibility for the Belgian.
4. Bjorn Leukemans has officially justified the hype he received at Pavé during last year’s Spring Classics. In fact, one has to wonder the attention Leukemans would get were he riding for a bigger team. Look at his results over the past 10 days: 2nd at Dwars Door Vlaanderen, 7th at the E3 Prijs, and 4th in the Ronde. Aside from Flecha, Boonen, and Cancellara, there are few men who have had more success in Belgium this spring. Now Leukemans heads to Roubaix, a race in which he finished 4th in 2007. Will he be overlooked again?
5. As suspected, Tyler Farrar came through to take the field sprint for 5th-place. It’s a good result, but nothing to get too excited about, as winning a large group sprint in Flanders is hardly an indicator for future success. That said Farrar has the build and the personality to find success in these races some day, especially if he successfully makes the switch from field sprinter to classic rider—as many have before him. Now, I’m eager to see how handles Roubaix. And give David Millar credit as well for riding one heck of a race, ultimately enabling Farrar to rest comfortably for the finale. Like Farrar, I can’t wait to see what Millar does this Sunday in Roubaix—he’s clearly racing at a high level.
6. George Hincapie finished in 6th-place, a bit of a surprise as I had expected Marcus Burghardt to be the protected man for BMC. Many have been quick to discredit Hincapie’s form as of late, but he certainly seems right on track for another assault on the race that has eluded him his entire career. My ideal scenario: Boonen, Cancellara, Pozzato, and Hincapie enter the velodrome together to fight for the win—a battle of national champions and a photographer’s dream.
7. Speaking of near-misses at Roubaix, Leif Hoste seems to be shaping-up quite nicely. And with Gilbert taking the week off, he might have guaranteed himself top billing on Omega Pharma-Lotto’s team for Roubaix. With Roelandts and Vanavermaet riding in support, Hoste might have the ability to score another top result—but a win would still be considered an upset given the level of the competition.
8. Were you as excited as I was to see Steve Chainel in the first group after the Paterberg in the chase group after Cancellara and Boonen’s attack on the Molenberg? He’s another rider who has enjoyed the last 10 days in Belgium. He and his teammate William Bonnet will give the French someone to cheer for come Sunday.
9. And they’ll need one considering Patrick Lefevere’s recent announcement that Sylvain Chavanel will be staying home Sunday in favor of Stijn Devolder. It appears as if Devolder’s ride Sunday earned him one last chance to show Lefevere that he is worthy of a spot on next year’s roster. (Not that it matters; I’ll bet almost anything he’s heading to Radio Shack in 2011.) While Devolder did well to fight his way back to the front 3 times, the question has to be asked: why did he get dropped in the first place? Shouldn’t he have known to be better placed for the climbs? Regardless, I expect a good ride from him Sunday as his form might just be on the upswing.
10. As for Chavanel, he rode a rather anonymous race, ultimately finishing with the first group in 24th-place, ironically one place ahead of Devolder. While Chavanel’s not riding as well as he was last year—when he finished 8th in Roubaix—he’s not riding poorly enough to justify Lefevere leaving him home Sunday. Both men need to be on the starting line for Quick Step to have it’s best chance to get Boonen a record-tying 4th win. I wonder what’s really going on at Quick Step.
11. Someone needs to buy Matti Breschel a copy of How to Win Friends and Influence People. Clearly one of the strongest riders in the race, Breschel rode up the Paterberg so fast that he seemed to wait for the rest at the top—had they been closer to the finish he might have just ridden away from everyone. But then a strange series of mechanicals (rubbing brakes) ensued for the Saxo Bank co-leaders, offering a glimpse at a key difference between Riis’ two stars. Cancellara handled his bike change calmly, at first heading back to the car for a quick fix, then quietly returning to the peloton only to quickly receive a new bike at a well-timed corner just up the road. As for Breschel, he drifted off the back for his bike change only to find a mechanic apparently confused as to which spare bike was which. Breschel, obviously upset, waved his arms and stomped his legs like a child with a broken toy. By the time he rejoined the race just before the Molenberg, there was no time for him to regain his place at the front before Boonen and Cancellara left everyone behind.
Now don’t get me wrong, I feel for Breschel and his missed opportunity. The mechanic should have done a better job of getting him the right bike quickly. But then again, these things happen. As for Breschel and his post race comments, I won’t feel sorry for him the next time he needs a favor from a mechanic and doesn’t get it. A professional cycling team is more than just riders—just as a rider wouldn’t publicly call-out a teammate or director (unless he rides for Quick Step), he shouldn’t use the press to blame a mechanic. Their jobs are thankless enough as it is, Matti; don’t add insult to injury. I guarantee he feels much worse about it than you ever will.
12. And speaking of giving credit where it’s due, let’s give Lance Armstrong some points for a terrific ride. He played an active role in the race’s final phases, chasing down Matt Hayman just before the Molenberg. He then held-on to finish in the lead peloton, ultimately ending his day in 27th-place—not bad. I wonder what he could do were he to try and peak for these races.
From here, we head to the Scheldeprijs—a race that doesn’t quite get me as excited as Ghent-Wevelgem would have had it retained its traditional place on the calendar. I’ll have a race preview tomorrow; it will be interesting to see how many favorites for Roubaix choose to take part.
Otherwise, tot straks for now. And what about you? What did you notice from this weekend’s Ronde? Any early thoughts for Roubaix?
Share your comments below.
1. Hats-off to Fabian Cancellara for adding a third jewel to his Monument Crown. With victories in Milan-San Remo, the Ronde, and Paris-Roubaix, he’s only a Liege and a Lombardy away from completing the “Quintuple Crown”. I was wrong to think Cancellara wouldn’t have the acceleration and snap to handle attacks from the likes of Boonen and Gilbert—watching him ride away from Boonen on the Muur (in the saddle) I could see he clearly didn’t need it. Now, Spartacus heads to Paris-Roubaix as the odds-on favorite for another victory in the Hell of the North. Did you know the only non-Belgian rider to have completed the Flanders-Roubaix double was Swiss?
2. As for Boonen, there’s no shame in his 2nd-place performance; he rode a fantastic race and was simply beaten by a stronger opponent. He raced attentively, confidently, and clearly read his opposition correctly. And had his team done a better job in support of the Belgian Champion, he might have had just a little bit more left in his tank for the Muur. Luckily for Tommeke, he gets another chance at Cancellara this Sunday in Roubaix.
3. As for Phillippe Gilbert, for the second year in a row he occupied the podium’s third step. Had he been better placed for the Molenberg, he might have been able to follow the two leaders. He gets a rest now before continuing his spring campaign at Amstel and Liege. I have a hunch we haven’t seen Gilbert at his best yet; a Monument win is still a possibility for the Belgian.
4. Bjorn Leukemans has officially justified the hype he received at Pavé during last year’s Spring Classics. In fact, one has to wonder the attention Leukemans would get were he riding for a bigger team. Look at his results over the past 10 days: 2nd at Dwars Door Vlaanderen, 7th at the E3 Prijs, and 4th in the Ronde. Aside from Flecha, Boonen, and Cancellara, there are few men who have had more success in Belgium this spring. Now Leukemans heads to Roubaix, a race in which he finished 4th in 2007. Will he be overlooked again?
5. As suspected, Tyler Farrar came through to take the field sprint for 5th-place. It’s a good result, but nothing to get too excited about, as winning a large group sprint in Flanders is hardly an indicator for future success. That said Farrar has the build and the personality to find success in these races some day, especially if he successfully makes the switch from field sprinter to classic rider—as many have before him. Now, I’m eager to see how handles Roubaix. And give David Millar credit as well for riding one heck of a race, ultimately enabling Farrar to rest comfortably for the finale. Like Farrar, I can’t wait to see what Millar does this Sunday in Roubaix—he’s clearly racing at a high level.
6. George Hincapie finished in 6th-place, a bit of a surprise as I had expected Marcus Burghardt to be the protected man for BMC. Many have been quick to discredit Hincapie’s form as of late, but he certainly seems right on track for another assault on the race that has eluded him his entire career. My ideal scenario: Boonen, Cancellara, Pozzato, and Hincapie enter the velodrome together to fight for the win—a battle of national champions and a photographer’s dream.
7. Speaking of near-misses at Roubaix, Leif Hoste seems to be shaping-up quite nicely. And with Gilbert taking the week off, he might have guaranteed himself top billing on Omega Pharma-Lotto’s team for Roubaix. With Roelandts and Vanavermaet riding in support, Hoste might have the ability to score another top result—but a win would still be considered an upset given the level of the competition.
8. Were you as excited as I was to see Steve Chainel in the first group after the Paterberg in the chase group after Cancellara and Boonen’s attack on the Molenberg? He’s another rider who has enjoyed the last 10 days in Belgium. He and his teammate William Bonnet will give the French someone to cheer for come Sunday.
9. And they’ll need one considering Patrick Lefevere’s recent announcement that Sylvain Chavanel will be staying home Sunday in favor of Stijn Devolder. It appears as if Devolder’s ride Sunday earned him one last chance to show Lefevere that he is worthy of a spot on next year’s roster. (Not that it matters; I’ll bet almost anything he’s heading to Radio Shack in 2011.) While Devolder did well to fight his way back to the front 3 times, the question has to be asked: why did he get dropped in the first place? Shouldn’t he have known to be better placed for the climbs? Regardless, I expect a good ride from him Sunday as his form might just be on the upswing.
10. As for Chavanel, he rode a rather anonymous race, ultimately finishing with the first group in 24th-place, ironically one place ahead of Devolder. While Chavanel’s not riding as well as he was last year—when he finished 8th in Roubaix—he’s not riding poorly enough to justify Lefevere leaving him home Sunday. Both men need to be on the starting line for Quick Step to have it’s best chance to get Boonen a record-tying 4th win. I wonder what’s really going on at Quick Step.
11. Someone needs to buy Matti Breschel a copy of How to Win Friends and Influence People. Clearly one of the strongest riders in the race, Breschel rode up the Paterberg so fast that he seemed to wait for the rest at the top—had they been closer to the finish he might have just ridden away from everyone. But then a strange series of mechanicals (rubbing brakes) ensued for the Saxo Bank co-leaders, offering a glimpse at a key difference between Riis’ two stars. Cancellara handled his bike change calmly, at first heading back to the car for a quick fix, then quietly returning to the peloton only to quickly receive a new bike at a well-timed corner just up the road. As for Breschel, he drifted off the back for his bike change only to find a mechanic apparently confused as to which spare bike was which. Breschel, obviously upset, waved his arms and stomped his legs like a child with a broken toy. By the time he rejoined the race just before the Molenberg, there was no time for him to regain his place at the front before Boonen and Cancellara left everyone behind.
Now don’t get me wrong, I feel for Breschel and his missed opportunity. The mechanic should have done a better job of getting him the right bike quickly. But then again, these things happen. As for Breschel and his post race comments, I won’t feel sorry for him the next time he needs a favor from a mechanic and doesn’t get it. A professional cycling team is more than just riders—just as a rider wouldn’t publicly call-out a teammate or director (unless he rides for Quick Step), he shouldn’t use the press to blame a mechanic. Their jobs are thankless enough as it is, Matti; don’t add insult to injury. I guarantee he feels much worse about it than you ever will.
12. And speaking of giving credit where it’s due, let’s give Lance Armstrong some points for a terrific ride. He played an active role in the race’s final phases, chasing down Matt Hayman just before the Molenberg. He then held-on to finish in the lead peloton, ultimately ending his day in 27th-place—not bad. I wonder what he could do were he to try and peak for these races.
From here, we head to the Scheldeprijs—a race that doesn’t quite get me as excited as Ghent-Wevelgem would have had it retained its traditional place on the calendar. I’ll have a race preview tomorrow; it will be interesting to see how many favorites for Roubaix choose to take part.
Otherwise, tot straks for now. And what about you? What did you notice from this weekend’s Ronde? Any early thoughts for Roubaix?
Share your comments below.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday Musette - E3 Prijs and Ghent-Wevelgem Wrap-up
Sorry for the delay, but here are my thoughts following a jam-packed weekend of racing:
1. It’s hard to believe that Saturday’s E3 Prij was Fabian Cancellara’s first win in Belgium—aside from an ITT stage at the Tour of Belgium. Clearly, Spartacus is hoping it’s just a taste of better things to come—and with a team that’s turning-out to be one of the strongest in the peloton, it’s easy to see why his confidence is brimming. I haven’t been able to ascertain whether or not he knew about that tight left-hander just inside 1km to go, but one can only assume he—or his director—did. It just goes to show what can happen when brains meet brawns.
2. As for Tom Boonen, Saturday was his second consecutive 2nd-place in a race he won 4-years running from 2004 to 2007. To be honest, I’m not sure why everyone’s making such a big deal about Boonen’s performance. The only time anyone ever spoke about last year’s E3 loss to Pozzato was immediately before and after this year’s event—don’t you think Pozzato would have much rather won Roubaix and lost the E3? Exactly. A win on either of the next 2 Sunday’s is all Boonen needs to erase any lingering thoughts following Saturday’s loss—at least until next year’s event. That said, Boonen intimated that he was not prepared for the change in the race’s finish. Had he known about that last corner, he might have taken a faster line, and perhaps come a bit closer to catching Cancellara. With several other men riding at the top of their game, Boonen is in no place to take anything for granted—Saturday proved how costly even the slightest of mental lapses can be.
3. Sky’s Juan Antonio Flecha seems to have picked-up right where he left-off in February’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. I see him as a better contender for Roubaix than Flanders though, as he seems less explosive than he once was. Remember, when he attacked to win the Omloop, he simply motored-away from the rest on a flat section of cobbles. As for teammate Edvald Boasson Hagen, he was a non-factor in both races this weekend—that’s too bad as we all had high hopes for the young Norwegian. Can he get it together in time for Flanders?
4. And speaking of non-factors, Stijn Devolder might become the only former winner of the Tour of Flanders to be left-off his team the following year. Patrick Lefevere seems unimpressed by his team’s lack of urgency, even going as so far as to speculate just how many of his current riders might be looking for new jobs by the end of the season. While Sylvain Chavanel’s ridden well enough so far to be given a little bit of latitude, Devolder clearly has more to prove. He’s starting tomorrow’s 3-Days of DePanne, his last chance to show us—and his team—what he has to offer.
5. Hopefully Filippo Pozzato learned his lesson—he needs to be well-placed for every climb, not just the ones on which he thinks Boonen will attack. I don’t expect we’ll see him make the same mistake again—especially with Sergei Ivanov likely to have received a lecture as well following Saturday’s gaffe. Despite the mistake, Pippo’s clearly at the top of his game right now.
6. I picked Nick Nuyens for the win Saturday; he responded by hitting the deck not once, but three times. It’s a shame too as his Rabobank team was clearly up to the challenge, placing 3 riders in the top-10. One can only wonder what they would have done had Nuyens kept the rubber-side down.
7. Vacansoleil put in an impressive team performance as well, placing 2 riders in the top-10 including none other than Bjorn Leukemans. Okay, Bjorn, after 2nd-place in Dwars and 7th in the E3, you’re back on the radar. Please don’t disappoint me.
8. Were you surprised to see a Footon-Serveto rider finish 10th and a Xacebo-Galicia rider finish 18th? It’s okay, you can say it—I was too.
9. And speaking of Spanish teams, there was an interesting moment Saturday when Euskaltel had 4 riders struggling at the back in the E3 Prijs while 4 of their teammates were riding tempo at the front in the Criterium International. How’s that for universal balance?
Now to Sunday’s Ghent-Wevelgem…
10. It’s beginning to look like the only thing that might get in Fabian Cancellara’s way next weekend might be his own teammate, Matti Breschel. It was obvious to everyone that Breschel was the strongest man in the field. Had he not flatted, he might have added a major classic to the minor one he won last Wednesday. He and Cancellara are saying all the right things heading into Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, but one can only wonder what might happen between now and the finish line Sunday. One thing is certain: Saxo Bank clearly has the best one-two punch in the peloton right now—something few other teams can match.
11. But before we forget, let’s give some credit to HTC-Columbia’s Bernhard Eisel, the man who actually won the race. He admitted to not liking Ghent-Wevelgem very much in his post-race interview—that’s too bad as he’ll certainly be expected to ride it every year from now until he retires. Bob Stapleton must have been relieved to see his team take a big win—especially given the amount of success his former riders have garnered since their departures. Eisel was not eager to count himself among the favorites for next Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, but his teammates Marcel Sieberg and Matthew Goss still warrant attention following impressive rides yesterday. This year might be too soon, but it’s clear that HTC’s future is bright.
12. Hats-off to Topsport Vlaanderen’s Sep Vanmarcke for what was one of the gutsiest rides I’ve seen in a long time. Not only did he attack in the finale of Ghent-Wevelgem, but once he was caught he was still able to sprint to 2nd place—which is more than can be said for some of his companions. Vanmarcke also made the main selection in Dwars Door Vlaanderen. Let’s see what he can do in this week’s 3-Days of DePanne.
13. As for Philippe Gilbert and Omega Pharma-Lotto, it’s déjà vu all over again as their 2010 spring campaign has started as poorly as last year’s. With 2 men in a 6-man breakaway, it’s hard to see how the team didn’t come home with the win. Both Gilbert and Roelandts said they told the other to go for it, but that’s hardly an excuse for not even trying to attack. Worse still, there seemed to be no attempt at teamwork in the final sprint. Still, Gilbert’s riding well and is hoping DePanne will put the finishing touches on his form for Flanders. But this is Belgium—wins in Paris-Tours and the Tour of Lombardy will only get him so far.
As for Jurgen Roelandts, we could forgive him for his failure to come through for his team yesterday—had he made more of an effort in the final to lead-out Gilbert for the win. While I think he’ll play a role on Sunday, his true calling could be Paris-Roubaix two weeks from now.
14. And give George Hincapie credit for a solid ride Sunday—a ride I can’t say I was expecting. Despite the performance, I think Flanders is a bit out of his reach at this point—Marcus Burghardt might be a better bet for BMC. But Roubaix is still a race I think he can win, especially with two more weeks to improve. Sometimes getting sick can be a good thing—if it gets you to your peak at a time when others are starting to fall from theirs. Could this be George’s lucky year?
And while we’re talking about BMC, is Alessandro Ballan this team’s Stijn Devolder? Like the Belgian, Ballan’s riding DePanne, but I can’t help but if it’s too little, too late.
15. As for Liquigas and Astana, not riding Saturday clearly had an effect on their performances Sunday. Daniel Oss is a name to remember from Liquigas while Enrico Gasparotto and Maxim Iglinsky continued their impressive seasons for Astana. All three are listed for DePanne—I expect we’ll be hearing from them again. One interesting note for Astana, I think Iglinsky getting dropped from the break shows the decline of his form, while Gasparotto’s move to bridge a gap on the Kateberg shows his fitness might still be on the rise.
16. And finally, the organizers of Ghent-Wevelgem couldn’t have been happy with Boonen and Cancellara not finishing—and almost not even starting, for that matter. This weekend proved that riding both races at a high level is clearly not possible. Expect more calendar changes next year.
And that’s that as far this weekend’s cobbled races are concerned. What are your thoughts?
Share them below.
1. It’s hard to believe that Saturday’s E3 Prij was Fabian Cancellara’s first win in Belgium—aside from an ITT stage at the Tour of Belgium. Clearly, Spartacus is hoping it’s just a taste of better things to come—and with a team that’s turning-out to be one of the strongest in the peloton, it’s easy to see why his confidence is brimming. I haven’t been able to ascertain whether or not he knew about that tight left-hander just inside 1km to go, but one can only assume he—or his director—did. It just goes to show what can happen when brains meet brawns.
2. As for Tom Boonen, Saturday was his second consecutive 2nd-place in a race he won 4-years running from 2004 to 2007. To be honest, I’m not sure why everyone’s making such a big deal about Boonen’s performance. The only time anyone ever spoke about last year’s E3 loss to Pozzato was immediately before and after this year’s event—don’t you think Pozzato would have much rather won Roubaix and lost the E3? Exactly. A win on either of the next 2 Sunday’s is all Boonen needs to erase any lingering thoughts following Saturday’s loss—at least until next year’s event. That said, Boonen intimated that he was not prepared for the change in the race’s finish. Had he known about that last corner, he might have taken a faster line, and perhaps come a bit closer to catching Cancellara. With several other men riding at the top of their game, Boonen is in no place to take anything for granted—Saturday proved how costly even the slightest of mental lapses can be.
3. Sky’s Juan Antonio Flecha seems to have picked-up right where he left-off in February’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. I see him as a better contender for Roubaix than Flanders though, as he seems less explosive than he once was. Remember, when he attacked to win the Omloop, he simply motored-away from the rest on a flat section of cobbles. As for teammate Edvald Boasson Hagen, he was a non-factor in both races this weekend—that’s too bad as we all had high hopes for the young Norwegian. Can he get it together in time for Flanders?
4. And speaking of non-factors, Stijn Devolder might become the only former winner of the Tour of Flanders to be left-off his team the following year. Patrick Lefevere seems unimpressed by his team’s lack of urgency, even going as so far as to speculate just how many of his current riders might be looking for new jobs by the end of the season. While Sylvain Chavanel’s ridden well enough so far to be given a little bit of latitude, Devolder clearly has more to prove. He’s starting tomorrow’s 3-Days of DePanne, his last chance to show us—and his team—what he has to offer.
5. Hopefully Filippo Pozzato learned his lesson—he needs to be well-placed for every climb, not just the ones on which he thinks Boonen will attack. I don’t expect we’ll see him make the same mistake again—especially with Sergei Ivanov likely to have received a lecture as well following Saturday’s gaffe. Despite the mistake, Pippo’s clearly at the top of his game right now.
6. I picked Nick Nuyens for the win Saturday; he responded by hitting the deck not once, but three times. It’s a shame too as his Rabobank team was clearly up to the challenge, placing 3 riders in the top-10. One can only wonder what they would have done had Nuyens kept the rubber-side down.
7. Vacansoleil put in an impressive team performance as well, placing 2 riders in the top-10 including none other than Bjorn Leukemans. Okay, Bjorn, after 2nd-place in Dwars and 7th in the E3, you’re back on the radar. Please don’t disappoint me.
8. Were you surprised to see a Footon-Serveto rider finish 10th and a Xacebo-Galicia rider finish 18th? It’s okay, you can say it—I was too.
9. And speaking of Spanish teams, there was an interesting moment Saturday when Euskaltel had 4 riders struggling at the back in the E3 Prijs while 4 of their teammates were riding tempo at the front in the Criterium International. How’s that for universal balance?
Now to Sunday’s Ghent-Wevelgem…
10. It’s beginning to look like the only thing that might get in Fabian Cancellara’s way next weekend might be his own teammate, Matti Breschel. It was obvious to everyone that Breschel was the strongest man in the field. Had he not flatted, he might have added a major classic to the minor one he won last Wednesday. He and Cancellara are saying all the right things heading into Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, but one can only wonder what might happen between now and the finish line Sunday. One thing is certain: Saxo Bank clearly has the best one-two punch in the peloton right now—something few other teams can match.
11. But before we forget, let’s give some credit to HTC-Columbia’s Bernhard Eisel, the man who actually won the race. He admitted to not liking Ghent-Wevelgem very much in his post-race interview—that’s too bad as he’ll certainly be expected to ride it every year from now until he retires. Bob Stapleton must have been relieved to see his team take a big win—especially given the amount of success his former riders have garnered since their departures. Eisel was not eager to count himself among the favorites for next Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, but his teammates Marcel Sieberg and Matthew Goss still warrant attention following impressive rides yesterday. This year might be too soon, but it’s clear that HTC’s future is bright.
12. Hats-off to Topsport Vlaanderen’s Sep Vanmarcke for what was one of the gutsiest rides I’ve seen in a long time. Not only did he attack in the finale of Ghent-Wevelgem, but once he was caught he was still able to sprint to 2nd place—which is more than can be said for some of his companions. Vanmarcke also made the main selection in Dwars Door Vlaanderen. Let’s see what he can do in this week’s 3-Days of DePanne.
13. As for Philippe Gilbert and Omega Pharma-Lotto, it’s déjà vu all over again as their 2010 spring campaign has started as poorly as last year’s. With 2 men in a 6-man breakaway, it’s hard to see how the team didn’t come home with the win. Both Gilbert and Roelandts said they told the other to go for it, but that’s hardly an excuse for not even trying to attack. Worse still, there seemed to be no attempt at teamwork in the final sprint. Still, Gilbert’s riding well and is hoping DePanne will put the finishing touches on his form for Flanders. But this is Belgium—wins in Paris-Tours and the Tour of Lombardy will only get him so far.
As for Jurgen Roelandts, we could forgive him for his failure to come through for his team yesterday—had he made more of an effort in the final to lead-out Gilbert for the win. While I think he’ll play a role on Sunday, his true calling could be Paris-Roubaix two weeks from now.
14. And give George Hincapie credit for a solid ride Sunday—a ride I can’t say I was expecting. Despite the performance, I think Flanders is a bit out of his reach at this point—Marcus Burghardt might be a better bet for BMC. But Roubaix is still a race I think he can win, especially with two more weeks to improve. Sometimes getting sick can be a good thing—if it gets you to your peak at a time when others are starting to fall from theirs. Could this be George’s lucky year?
And while we’re talking about BMC, is Alessandro Ballan this team’s Stijn Devolder? Like the Belgian, Ballan’s riding DePanne, but I can’t help but if it’s too little, too late.
15. As for Liquigas and Astana, not riding Saturday clearly had an effect on their performances Sunday. Daniel Oss is a name to remember from Liquigas while Enrico Gasparotto and Maxim Iglinsky continued their impressive seasons for Astana. All three are listed for DePanne—I expect we’ll be hearing from them again. One interesting note for Astana, I think Iglinsky getting dropped from the break shows the decline of his form, while Gasparotto’s move to bridge a gap on the Kateberg shows his fitness might still be on the rise.
16. And finally, the organizers of Ghent-Wevelgem couldn’t have been happy with Boonen and Cancellara not finishing—and almost not even starting, for that matter. This weekend proved that riding both races at a high level is clearly not possible. Expect more calendar changes next year.
And that’s that as far this weekend’s cobbled races are concerned. What are your thoughts?
Share them below.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Dwars Door Vlaanderen - Wrap-up
I think the only person happier than I was about Matti Breschel winning today’s Dwars Door Vlaanderen was Matti Breschel. Don’t get worng: Pavé isn’t designed to be a prognostication site; I predict winners simply for entertainment purposes. Being correct just adds to the fun; I won’t gloat—for too long, at least.
I caught the last 30 kilometers of the race during my lunch break with a friend who’s becoming a bit of a racing enthusiast. Today was his first opportunity to watch a race on Belgian roads and it was great to see his reactions. “Wow, that’s narrow!” and “Is that a crack down the center of the road?” were just some of the things he noticed, a reminder of the days when I first had a chance to see the classics unfold before me—albeit on a VCR several months after the races took place.
Here’s what I noticed today:
1. As for Breschel, give him credit for gambling on his own. Tom Boonen would have certainly taken the field sprint; it was a smart move for Breschel to test the willingness of other teams to drag any group with Boonen back into the race. And don’t let this win fool you, Breschel’s a successful sprinter in his own right; so look for him again come Sunday in Ghent-Wevelgem.
2. It took him a while, but Steve Chainel finally showed some of the potential we wondered about earlier in the season. The young Frenchman is a talented cyclocross rider and appears to have the makings of a fairly decent classics man. Compatriot Geoffroy LeQuartre had another solid day as well, building upon his good performance in Milan-San Remo. Couple these performaces with Sylvain Chavanel’s impressive form and one can’t help but wonder if France might have a successful spring.
3. Give Luca Paolini credit for finishing 10th in Milan-San Remo, spending a night or two at home, and then hopping a plane to Belgium to finish 5th today with what appeared to be minimal support. Consider him a dark horse candidate for the podium on Sunday.
4. As we had hoped, Nick Nuyens rode well, impressing me with several attacks late in the race. His role in Saturday’s E3 Prijs should confirm his status as a favorite for the Ronde. Few are mentioning the Rabobank man as a rider to contend with, but as Oscar Freire demonstrated Saturday, the men in orange are not to be overlooked—especially with talented support from riders like Sebastian Langeveld and Lars Boom.
5. Speaking of overlooking, I completely ignored Bjorn Leukemans and Niki Terpstra yesterday, and they both punished me for it with a terrific race today. Terpstra’s omission was a flat-out mistake on my part, but Leukemans? I overrated him often last year and I didn’t have the guts to risk it again. I’m waiting until after Saturday before predicting anything from him again.
6. As for the rest, Fabian Cancellara is clearly in peak condition. With Breschel and other strong teammates, he should contend for another win in a spring monument. And Boonen? I’m starting to wonder if he’s too strong at this point—Flanders and Rouabix are still 10 and 17 days away. Can he keep it up?
7. And finally, someone asked if the parcours had changed from recent years. The answer is yes, with the final laps around Waregem being scrapped and the finish line moved from the center of town to the neighborhood surrounding the local stadium.
And what about you? What did you take away from today’s events? Share your comments below.
I caught the last 30 kilometers of the race during my lunch break with a friend who’s becoming a bit of a racing enthusiast. Today was his first opportunity to watch a race on Belgian roads and it was great to see his reactions. “Wow, that’s narrow!” and “Is that a crack down the center of the road?” were just some of the things he noticed, a reminder of the days when I first had a chance to see the classics unfold before me—albeit on a VCR several months after the races took place.
Here’s what I noticed today:
1. As for Breschel, give him credit for gambling on his own. Tom Boonen would have certainly taken the field sprint; it was a smart move for Breschel to test the willingness of other teams to drag any group with Boonen back into the race. And don’t let this win fool you, Breschel’s a successful sprinter in his own right; so look for him again come Sunday in Ghent-Wevelgem.
2. It took him a while, but Steve Chainel finally showed some of the potential we wondered about earlier in the season. The young Frenchman is a talented cyclocross rider and appears to have the makings of a fairly decent classics man. Compatriot Geoffroy LeQuartre had another solid day as well, building upon his good performance in Milan-San Remo. Couple these performaces with Sylvain Chavanel’s impressive form and one can’t help but wonder if France might have a successful spring.
3. Give Luca Paolini credit for finishing 10th in Milan-San Remo, spending a night or two at home, and then hopping a plane to Belgium to finish 5th today with what appeared to be minimal support. Consider him a dark horse candidate for the podium on Sunday.
4. As we had hoped, Nick Nuyens rode well, impressing me with several attacks late in the race. His role in Saturday’s E3 Prijs should confirm his status as a favorite for the Ronde. Few are mentioning the Rabobank man as a rider to contend with, but as Oscar Freire demonstrated Saturday, the men in orange are not to be overlooked—especially with talented support from riders like Sebastian Langeveld and Lars Boom.
5. Speaking of overlooking, I completely ignored Bjorn Leukemans and Niki Terpstra yesterday, and they both punished me for it with a terrific race today. Terpstra’s omission was a flat-out mistake on my part, but Leukemans? I overrated him often last year and I didn’t have the guts to risk it again. I’m waiting until after Saturday before predicting anything from him again.
6. As for the rest, Fabian Cancellara is clearly in peak condition. With Breschel and other strong teammates, he should contend for another win in a spring monument. And Boonen? I’m starting to wonder if he’s too strong at this point—Flanders and Rouabix are still 10 and 17 days away. Can he keep it up?
7. And finally, someone asked if the parcours had changed from recent years. The answer is yes, with the final laps around Waregem being scrapped and the finish line moved from the center of town to the neighborhood surrounding the local stadium.
And what about you? What did you take away from today’s events? Share your comments below.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tirreno-Adriatico - What We Learned
Italy’s Tirreno-Adriatico wrapped-up yesterday with Sky’s Edvald Boasson Hagen sprinting to the stage win ahead of Alessandro Petacchi and Sacha Modolo. Let’s take a minute or two to discuss what we learned during the “Race of the Two Seas”.
1. Tom Boonen’s ready to win Milan-San Remo. Judging from his win in Stage 2 and a day spent on the attack in Stage 6, Tom Boonen’s sights seem squarely set on a victory in Saturday’s Milan-San Remo. With a team dedicated to his success, another Monument win seems to be a very real possibility for the Belgian Champion.
2. Astana’s not a one-trick pony. While all eyes were on Alberto Contador’s battle with Caisse d’Epargne in France, the rest of his team was quietly turning heads in Italy. Maxim Iglinksy started the ball rolling with a fantastic win in L’Eroica on the Saturday before Tirreno and Enrico Gasparotto took a win in similar fashion in Tirreno’s Stage 5. Furthermore, there was always an Astana rider in the breakaway as they were clearly one of the most aggressive teams to take part. At this point, it’s easy to see why some are quietly wondering if the departure of Armstrong and Co. was a good thing for the team.
3. The jury’s still out on BMC for the cobbled classics. Cadel Evans aggressively raced to a 3rd-place finish, almost winning a stage in the process. Aside from that, there wasn’t much to write home about from BMC. Hincapie claims his form is improving, while Burghardt spent the day in the break on Stage 6, ultimately being one of the last men to be caught. And Alessandro Ballan? Well, there’s not much to say there. Overall, while there were no signs of regression—no sickness or crashes laid claim to any of BMC’s top guns—there was nothing to indicate continued progress toward the team’s northern goals.
4. Fabian Cancellara and his Saxo Bank team were notably absent from the proceedings. This is either really good or really bad for Spartacus’ competitors come the cobbled classics. He and Ballan are two riders hoping for a return to winning form in time for Flanders and Roubaix—here’s hoping their quiet week in Italy is a sign of bigger things to come.
5. It’s not over ‘til the bald Italian sings. Credit Stefano Garzelli and his team for continuing the race for the overall title through the final day. One can only wonder what would happen if two riders were to head into the Tour’s final stage with mere seconds between them—would we see something resembling the last stage at Tirreno?
6. And speaking of Garzelli and good form, it looks like Pavé is coming into form as well—if I may say so myself. Allow me to quote from our Tirreno-Adriatico Preview:
“And let’s not forget the Italians hoping to score a stage or two in front of their home crowds, men like Giovanni Visconti, Stefano Garzelli, and last year’s winner Michele Scarponi come to mind. Here’s where you might find an overall favorite or two, as they’re fast enough to finish near the front in a sprint, while aggressive and lithe enough to perhaps steal time on hillier days. Scarponi won the race last year; he’ll be extra-motivated to defend to his title.”
Obvious choices? Perhaps—but it still feels good to be right every once in a while.
Although I’ve probably just jinxed myself for the rest of the season.
What about you? What did you take away from this year’s Tirreno-Adriatico? Share your thoughts below.
1. Tom Boonen’s ready to win Milan-San Remo. Judging from his win in Stage 2 and a day spent on the attack in Stage 6, Tom Boonen’s sights seem squarely set on a victory in Saturday’s Milan-San Remo. With a team dedicated to his success, another Monument win seems to be a very real possibility for the Belgian Champion.
2. Astana’s not a one-trick pony. While all eyes were on Alberto Contador’s battle with Caisse d’Epargne in France, the rest of his team was quietly turning heads in Italy. Maxim Iglinksy started the ball rolling with a fantastic win in L’Eroica on the Saturday before Tirreno and Enrico Gasparotto took a win in similar fashion in Tirreno’s Stage 5. Furthermore, there was always an Astana rider in the breakaway as they were clearly one of the most aggressive teams to take part. At this point, it’s easy to see why some are quietly wondering if the departure of Armstrong and Co. was a good thing for the team.
3. The jury’s still out on BMC for the cobbled classics. Cadel Evans aggressively raced to a 3rd-place finish, almost winning a stage in the process. Aside from that, there wasn’t much to write home about from BMC. Hincapie claims his form is improving, while Burghardt spent the day in the break on Stage 6, ultimately being one of the last men to be caught. And Alessandro Ballan? Well, there’s not much to say there. Overall, while there were no signs of regression—no sickness or crashes laid claim to any of BMC’s top guns—there was nothing to indicate continued progress toward the team’s northern goals.
4. Fabian Cancellara and his Saxo Bank team were notably absent from the proceedings. This is either really good or really bad for Spartacus’ competitors come the cobbled classics. He and Ballan are two riders hoping for a return to winning form in time for Flanders and Roubaix—here’s hoping their quiet week in Italy is a sign of bigger things to come.
5. It’s not over ‘til the bald Italian sings. Credit Stefano Garzelli and his team for continuing the race for the overall title through the final day. One can only wonder what would happen if two riders were to head into the Tour’s final stage with mere seconds between them—would we see something resembling the last stage at Tirreno?
6. And speaking of Garzelli and good form, it looks like Pavé is coming into form as well—if I may say so myself. Allow me to quote from our Tirreno-Adriatico Preview:
“And let’s not forget the Italians hoping to score a stage or two in front of their home crowds, men like Giovanni Visconti, Stefano Garzelli, and last year’s winner Michele Scarponi come to mind. Here’s where you might find an overall favorite or two, as they’re fast enough to finish near the front in a sprint, while aggressive and lithe enough to perhaps steal time on hillier days. Scarponi won the race last year; he’ll be extra-motivated to defend to his title.”
Obvious choices? Perhaps—but it still feels good to be right every once in a while.
Although I’ve probably just jinxed myself for the rest of the season.
What about you? What did you take away from this year’s Tirreno-Adriatico? Share your thoughts below.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Tour de France Wrap-up - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Ever seen a spaghetti western? To me, this year’s Tour might as well have been directed by Sergio Leone and played over a soundtrack by Ennio Morricone. Stark landscapes, aging heroes, young upstarts, pistols, you get the idea… Where they had Clint Eastwood, we had Lance Armstrong. Where they had a cast of Spanish-American outlaws, we had Alberto Contador. They had their showdowns, we had Mont Ventoux. And don't get me started on dialogue!
So whether or not you think the good guy won or lost, here’s Pavé’s look at The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the 2009 Tour de France.
(Let this video play in the background as you read--the effect's much better.)
The Good
1. Alberto Contador’s Win - Whether you were rooting for him or against him, you have to be impressed by Contador’s victory. His prowess on any given terrain was reminiscent of Spain’s other great Tour champion, Miguel Indurain. Alberto has 3 Tours to go before he’ll be on par with Big Mig, but he’s certainly well on his way. One can only hope the rumors beginning to surface and the questions beginning to be asked prove unfounded.
2. Lance Armstrong’s 3rd Place - To me, Armstrong’s 3rd place is a good thing—and I mean that in the sense that it’s better he didn’t win. A win for Lance would have seemed too scripted, too unreal for a sport that’s seen its share of unbelievable events. An 8th victory after about 4 years of retirement would have brought more rumors, more accusations, and more talk of "it’s too good to be true”. 3rd place allows Lance to bask in the glow of terrific comeback and talk of what might have been, while still looking ahead to next year with the hope that he might go a couple steps higher. Today, we all have to at least admit that maybe the guy’s mortal after all. For the sake of Lance's reputation, "mere mortal" might not be a bad title--for now.
3. The Youth Movement - A look down the Top-10 will reveal a glimpse into the Tour’s future—and it’s a good one. Young guns like Andy Schleck, Vincenzo Nibali, and Roman Kreuziger seem destined for Tour glory one day. This talent combined with the peaking stars like Bradley Wiggins and Frank Schleck will make for some terrific battles over the next few years. Young climbers such as Jurgen Van Den Broeck and Brice Feillu look poised to blossom into riders their respective countries can rally behind in July. And remember folks, that Spanish guy who won? He’s only 26!
4. Mark Cavendish - Man, oh man! Or should I say, “Manx”? Cavendish was heads and shoulders—literally, on some occasions—ahead of his competitors. While I still would argue that his team deserves half the credit, we still need to acknowledge the accomplishments of the most electrifying British rider since Chris Boardman rode to victory in the Prologue using Mavic’s electronic ZAP components. Before the Tour, I suspected Columbia might win 10 stages; I wasn’t betting on Cavendish winning 6 all by himself. Think of it, the guy won more than one third of the entire race! The record for wins in a year is 8, perhaps a bit lofty in this day and age. That said, I’ll never doubt Cavendish again. Now, about that mouth…
5. The Race was Clean - Were it not for Danilo Diluca and a handful of other CERA positives from earlier in the year, we might have had a race where we didn’t even think of doping. But I’ll settle for a Tour free of positives, raids, and expulsions. Time might tell a different story, but for now we all should satisfied.
The Bad
1. France’s GC Hopes - As we mentioned earlier, there might be some relief on the horizon, but for now, we have to consider it bad when your country does so poorly that the New York Times takes up space writing about it. Blame it on what you will, but it’s not good when your best GC rider was 10th, and that itself is largely due to a long breakaway on a transition stage. What does France have to do to develop a legitimate contender for the overall win in its national tour? Maybe another Norman conquest would do it? Wiggins and Cavendish would look good riding for the les bleus, non?
2. Blah, blah, blah - I won’t go so far as to call it ugly, but this year’s race sure seemed filled with trash talk: team against team, rider against rider, teammate against teammate, director against rider, etc. Maybe it’s a good thing; were they to just shut-up and ride we might have spent more time wondering if the race was indeed as boring as people say it was. For my money though, I wish people would have spent less time jabbering and more time winning--or at least attacking. Wins make you a legitimate contender/rider/team, not how well you run your mouth.
The Ugly
1. Former Champs/Current Chumps - Cadel Evans, Carlos Sastre, and Denis Menchov should be embarrassed. Cadel Evans has probably just ridden himself out of a contract. Sastre’s just ridden himself into the Vuelta (his third Grand Tour this year). And Denis Menchov’s just ridden his win in the Giro out of everyone’s memory. Evans has proven he’s as mentally weak as we had suspected before the race started. His losses during the first week demoralized rather than motivated him, leaving him as nothing more than road kill as the race hit the mountains. In the end he wasn’t even good enough to lead his own team, or help his replacement for that matter. Time for a shift in focus, Cadel. Classics and week-long stage races are the best you can hope for.
We thought Sastre would give it a go on Ventoux, instead he finished several minutes down, riding into Paris in a lackluster 17th-place overall. Was Lance right about last year’s Tour? And Denis Menchov? He crashed more frequently than Euskaltel in the Tour of Flanders. Seriously, I lost count after week 1. You can’t win if you can’t stay upright. Will both these riders use the Vuelta to end the season on a high note?
3. Big Budget Benelux Buffoons - Silence-Lotto, Quick Step, and Rabobank might have to re-consider accepting an invitation to next year’s race. All together they managed 1 stage win, and it took them 20 stages to get there. In the end it’s hard to say who’s the biggest disappointment as all three teams came to the race with several contenders in many areas. Cadel Evans, Greg Van Avermaet, Tom Boonen, Stijn Devolder, Sylvain Chavanel, Denis Menchov, Robert Gesink, Juan Antonio Flecha, and Oscar Freire represent a vertitable “Who’s Who” of professional cycling over the past 5-10 years. None of them managed a win. Some came close, but not enough to be counted as respectable given their experience, talent, and the level of expectation.
The biggest shame might have to be Tom Boonen, whose team worked so hard to get him on the line in the first place. Now Tom’s going to the Vuelta to salvage his season; anything short of a world title and his Spring exploits could be forgotten. Look for these teams to be the most active as the summer transfer period begins. Maybe this year they can avoid signing riders who will go from being Tour revelations to exposed cheats?
And that brings our feature to a close. Cue the guitar, trumpet, and zamfir.
What about you? What did you find to be the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of this year’s race?
Share your comments below.
So whether or not you think the good guy won or lost, here’s Pavé’s look at The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the 2009 Tour de France.
(Let this video play in the background as you read--the effect's much better.)
The Good
1. Alberto Contador’s Win - Whether you were rooting for him or against him, you have to be impressed by Contador’s victory. His prowess on any given terrain was reminiscent of Spain’s other great Tour champion, Miguel Indurain. Alberto has 3 Tours to go before he’ll be on par with Big Mig, but he’s certainly well on his way. One can only hope the rumors beginning to surface and the questions beginning to be asked prove unfounded.
2. Lance Armstrong’s 3rd Place - To me, Armstrong’s 3rd place is a good thing—and I mean that in the sense that it’s better he didn’t win. A win for Lance would have seemed too scripted, too unreal for a sport that’s seen its share of unbelievable events. An 8th victory after about 4 years of retirement would have brought more rumors, more accusations, and more talk of "it’s too good to be true”. 3rd place allows Lance to bask in the glow of terrific comeback and talk of what might have been, while still looking ahead to next year with the hope that he might go a couple steps higher. Today, we all have to at least admit that maybe the guy’s mortal after all. For the sake of Lance's reputation, "mere mortal" might not be a bad title--for now.
3. The Youth Movement - A look down the Top-10 will reveal a glimpse into the Tour’s future—and it’s a good one. Young guns like Andy Schleck, Vincenzo Nibali, and Roman Kreuziger seem destined for Tour glory one day. This talent combined with the peaking stars like Bradley Wiggins and Frank Schleck will make for some terrific battles over the next few years. Young climbers such as Jurgen Van Den Broeck and Brice Feillu look poised to blossom into riders their respective countries can rally behind in July. And remember folks, that Spanish guy who won? He’s only 26!
4. Mark Cavendish - Man, oh man! Or should I say, “Manx”? Cavendish was heads and shoulders—literally, on some occasions—ahead of his competitors. While I still would argue that his team deserves half the credit, we still need to acknowledge the accomplishments of the most electrifying British rider since Chris Boardman rode to victory in the Prologue using Mavic’s electronic ZAP components. Before the Tour, I suspected Columbia might win 10 stages; I wasn’t betting on Cavendish winning 6 all by himself. Think of it, the guy won more than one third of the entire race! The record for wins in a year is 8, perhaps a bit lofty in this day and age. That said, I’ll never doubt Cavendish again. Now, about that mouth…
5. The Race was Clean - Were it not for Danilo Diluca and a handful of other CERA positives from earlier in the year, we might have had a race where we didn’t even think of doping. But I’ll settle for a Tour free of positives, raids, and expulsions. Time might tell a different story, but for now we all should satisfied.
The Bad
1. France’s GC Hopes - As we mentioned earlier, there might be some relief on the horizon, but for now, we have to consider it bad when your country does so poorly that the New York Times takes up space writing about it. Blame it on what you will, but it’s not good when your best GC rider was 10th, and that itself is largely due to a long breakaway on a transition stage. What does France have to do to develop a legitimate contender for the overall win in its national tour? Maybe another Norman conquest would do it? Wiggins and Cavendish would look good riding for the les bleus, non?
2. Blah, blah, blah - I won’t go so far as to call it ugly, but this year’s race sure seemed filled with trash talk: team against team, rider against rider, teammate against teammate, director against rider, etc. Maybe it’s a good thing; were they to just shut-up and ride we might have spent more time wondering if the race was indeed as boring as people say it was. For my money though, I wish people would have spent less time jabbering and more time winning--or at least attacking. Wins make you a legitimate contender/rider/team, not how well you run your mouth.
The Ugly
1. Former Champs/Current Chumps - Cadel Evans, Carlos Sastre, and Denis Menchov should be embarrassed. Cadel Evans has probably just ridden himself out of a contract. Sastre’s just ridden himself into the Vuelta (his third Grand Tour this year). And Denis Menchov’s just ridden his win in the Giro out of everyone’s memory. Evans has proven he’s as mentally weak as we had suspected before the race started. His losses during the first week demoralized rather than motivated him, leaving him as nothing more than road kill as the race hit the mountains. In the end he wasn’t even good enough to lead his own team, or help his replacement for that matter. Time for a shift in focus, Cadel. Classics and week-long stage races are the best you can hope for.
We thought Sastre would give it a go on Ventoux, instead he finished several minutes down, riding into Paris in a lackluster 17th-place overall. Was Lance right about last year’s Tour? And Denis Menchov? He crashed more frequently than Euskaltel in the Tour of Flanders. Seriously, I lost count after week 1. You can’t win if you can’t stay upright. Will both these riders use the Vuelta to end the season on a high note?
3. Big Budget Benelux Buffoons - Silence-Lotto, Quick Step, and Rabobank might have to re-consider accepting an invitation to next year’s race. All together they managed 1 stage win, and it took them 20 stages to get there. In the end it’s hard to say who’s the biggest disappointment as all three teams came to the race with several contenders in many areas. Cadel Evans, Greg Van Avermaet, Tom Boonen, Stijn Devolder, Sylvain Chavanel, Denis Menchov, Robert Gesink, Juan Antonio Flecha, and Oscar Freire represent a vertitable “Who’s Who” of professional cycling over the past 5-10 years. None of them managed a win. Some came close, but not enough to be counted as respectable given their experience, talent, and the level of expectation.
The biggest shame might have to be Tom Boonen, whose team worked so hard to get him on the line in the first place. Now Tom’s going to the Vuelta to salvage his season; anything short of a world title and his Spring exploits could be forgotten. Look for these teams to be the most active as the summer transfer period begins. Maybe this year they can avoid signing riders who will go from being Tour revelations to exposed cheats?
And that brings our feature to a close. Cue the guitar, trumpet, and zamfir.
What about you? What did you find to be the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of this year’s race?
Share your comments below.
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