There isn’t a lot about a climb several kilometers long ending in a sustained 20% cobbled gradient that communicates ‘Attack’ and/or ‘Respond’. Certainly not when it comes after 240 kilometers with only 20 left to race. Nope, I’ve double-checked the calibration and used a control-case: the only reading I’m getting on the Pain Gauge is the needle dropping all the way over to and past ‘Survival’.
Here we have Roger De Vlaeminck containing a vicious attack from Freddy Maertens on the hardest bit of the climb, giving more than a little bit of insight into why we refer to these guys as Hardmen. On an unrelated note, I find it to be a crime beyond articulation that the Kapelmuur won’t feature in this year’s Ronde van Vlaanderen; but that won’t stop us from riding it during the Keepers’ Tour; we’re all about history and tradition. I want to keep seeing this scene repeat itself over and over. After all, if a joke is funny once, it should be funny a thousand times.
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Just READING that hurts my legs, never mind riding it. I'm jealous. Pearhaps it should be spelled KapelmVVr instead? It would certainly require a double dose fo the V to attack on that climb ...
Pedant alert. Don't you mean "vicious" attack from Freddy rather than viscous? Last time I checked viscous meant sticky or thick. Mind you, I'm sure the cobbles felt like they were covered in a sticky substance or that RdV was trying to stick like glue to Freddy's wheel. So maybe I'm just talking a lot of viscous brown stuff!
Those are some pretty tall socks RdV's wearing in that photo. An early trendsetter? Freddy's are just right. Me? I'm thrilled I just found a style of Adidas sock that is almost entirely white (save a small grey three stripe triangle) and just the right length. Looks like I'll have to stock up.
ps Thanks for doing the correction Frank!
"On an unrelated note, I find it to be a crime beyond articulation that the Kapelmuur won't feature in this year's Ronde van Vlaanderen"
Couldn't agree more Frank... It's a shame. We'll have to set up a live video feed to watch you guys climb it during the Keepers tour!
Great photo, Frank. Never seen it before.
@Oli
I wish I could recall where I got it so I could credit the source. At this point, its just been sitting in my archive, waiting for a good reason to come to the fore. Such great action!
@wiscot
Thanks for pointing it out! I meant vicious, but misspelled it and grabbed the wrong word from the options. Viscous works, too!
@LA Dave
Awesome idea. Not sure about a live feed, but video for sure! I'll make sure to edit it such that the video clearly shows me dumping Brett like last week's newspaper!
@Mikel Pearce
Can't imagine what its going to feel like...I'll find out the hard way!
Wait... That link with Boonen and Cancellara.. they're both on the lowest gear.
The Prophet's rear tire is scribing a kerf in the stones as he goes. Badass.
@Marko
Marko, Number 11 is one of the disciples: aka Fast Freddy Maertens. The Prophet never rode for Velda Flandria. I think it's the 77 Ronde which Roger won and Freddy was disqualified for an illegal bike change. Hard to believe that Freddy never won one of the monuments!