Close the polls. Shut the books. No need to tally the votes. It’s only three weeks into the new year, but folks, we may have already witnessed the V Ride of the Year.
While the Euros are trying to escape the bitter chills of winter, the Aussies and Kiwis were turning up the heat with their National Championships being contested last weekend. And both races threw up some true hard racing, and produced two outstanding rides for the titles. Here in NZ, it was a hardass masterclass from HTC’s Hayden Roulston, but the ride that has everyone gushing came from Garmin’s young gun Jack Bobridge.
We know this kid’s got talent, already a World Champion on the track plus a road U23 time trial gold, but the way he decimated a ProTour rider-laden field in the hills of regional Victoria was the stuff of legend. To wait for the ‘right’ break to form, and then leave it to the last minute to attack or sprint from the group is one thing, but to bridge across solo to the early break, drive it for hours to breaking point, then decide to go it alone for the last 30km, well that’s a whole other deal; Merckxian, if you will.
“Just… sometimes, things click”
We received an impassioned email this week from one of our Aussie contingent, Matt, imploring us to dedicate a post to Jacky Bobby’s win. Well Matt, we’ll gladly doff our caps to young Bo Bridges, but leave the final words to you…
“I believe there may be a new champion of The V Cause. Jack Bobridge won the Australian Open Road Cycling Championships last week with what can only be described as a true ‘hardman’s’ ride.
Although it wasn’t mud, sleet and cobbles, 160km around Buninyong (featuring 16 laps up a 2.2km, 6% climb) off the front of a bunch featuring half of the Sky and HTC teams (among others) is harder than most riders will ever be.
Hopefully in a generation they will describe Jacky Bobby by some nickname like ‘The Animal’ (as ‘The Cannibal’ has already been taken!)
Until then, I’ll be enjoying him attacking everybody all the time.”
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@G'phant
bzzzzz. What are "Switzerland-based international sports organizing bodies"?
@SupermanSam
Ahhh little Lleyton... douche through and through.
That's been clear since he came onto the scene. Bad sport whether he wins or loses.
Now don't get me started on the Aussie cricket team...
How's the amount of cr@p Cotho's been copping since he turned up in Aus? First the Aussie press rip into their govt for spending up to $2 million for his appearance fee, then Sports Illustrated grabs the handle of the broom and shoves it somewhere seemingly unpleasant...from my most favouraite rider to my least favourite rider in one post.
Boardman dirty? Where exactly did you pick up this scurrilous gossip from? Everything I've read points to him being as clean as a whistle throughout his career.
No argument about Riis obviously...
@Oli Brooke-White, @Hawkeye
I had the idea he was clean, too, except he's guilt by who he managed to beat, eh? Boardman's one of my favorites either way. Anyone read the piece in Rouleur a few years back where he discussed his final Hour attempt with wheels built by Royce? Fantastic stuff.
@minion
You can't possibly have actually believed he was clean though, right? Right? I mean, it was a great story, but you know what they say about farytales...
Speaking of TDU, this is great. Poor little fella.
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cycling/cavendish-fumes-over-traffic-problems-20110120-19y1v.html
sore tummy, traffic, lethargic....poor tiddums refer to Rule 5
@SupermanSAm
Lleyton descriptives - douche, tosser, embarrassing knobhead & insert your own here ..............the list goes on
Yeah, saw a link to a story on VeloNews. Was in the newspaper (USA Today?) and was mulling over whether Pharmstrong's guilt would undo all the good he's done for cancer survivors/research.
It always amuses me when the masses who don't pay any attention at all get involved in cycling, doping, debating, et cetera.
I've never hated nor loved Pharmstrong, but there are going to be a ton of angry Amurcans when he's found guilty.
That Lleyton Hewitt encounter sounds rough!
@mightyninja
I do feel a little sorry for the little guy though, I mean his stack the day before was a pretty good one, big face plant. He got back on & finished and rode the next day. He's tightened his helmet strap now though I see. Some good pics here:
http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2011/01/tdu-stage-2-victoria-versus-new-south-whales/
Nice shot of Jacky Bobby after a hard day out.
By the way, you boys in the US and UK should consider this trip next year. Some good rides in nice warm climate, plus every stage you can join the pro's as they ride back into Adelaide in impromptu bunches:
http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2011/01/tour-down-under-stage-3-bling-boogie/