Categories: Defining MomentsRacingThe Hardmen

Here Stands a Man: Johan Van Summeren

Working man Van Summeren wins in Roubaix. Photo: Fotoreporter Sirotti

Here stands a man. A quiet man. A hard working man. A Belgian man. A man from a life of grit, cold, and rain.

Here stands a man who has chosen a life of hard work and sacrifice; a hard life even within the context of Cycling. A man who spends long hours in the wind and in the rain, in the service of his team. A man who despite those long hours in the wind and in the rain, typically tastes victory only upon the tongue of others.

Here stands a man who even today, spent the day in the service of another. A man who’s loyalty lay elsewhere, for another man’s glory. But he is also a man who was given an opportunity. A man who more so than any other today, wanted that opportunity and grabbed hold with both hands, resolving only to let go if the very air within his lungs abandoned him.

Here stands a man who only required air in his lungs – not his tires – in order to reach the velodrome alone. A man who even as the air escaped his tire five kilometers from the finish refused to let up on the pedals.

Here stands a man who despite a half minute lead entering the final two kilometers had me biting my nails since the man chasing at 30 seconds happened to be the fastest man in the world, known for making the impossible possible. A man for whom my legs twitched in sympathy as he circled the velodrome and as I continued to wonder if a Swiss gentleman aboard a brommer wouldn’t appear out of nowhere to steal his glory.

Here stands a man who’s name is forever changed by the words, “Vainqueur de Paris-Roubaix.”

Here stands a man. A quiet man. A hard working man. A Belgian man. A man from a life of grit, cold, and rain. No other man stands today who better represents the wondrous power of this sport in general, and the magic of Paris-Roubaix in particular.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

Souleur says:

Apr 11 2011 at 8:57 am

let me wipe the tear from my eye Frank. I couldn't have said it better, thanks. Spot on buddy!

i was watching the last k's tick off, and as he broke and went it was obvious that he had a hard row to tow, but as each k ticked over, it seemed meter by meter it became a reality. I noticed the gear he was pushing, looked like a 14t, the rear tyre, the jaw hanging....and spartacus was strong

a best P-R in my opinion! So glad he clinched it, and JV was a bit happier today!
mcsqueak says:

Apr 11 2011 at 9:06 am

Ah, what an awesome race. It was nice seeing someone besides the big names win. The Versus coverage leaves a bit to be desired, as I don't really like how the "cut" the race, but they have a time slot they need to fit it into, so they have no choice. I'm just lucky to live near a bar that serves all sorts of good beer, including Belgian, and had it on the TV. They even had a framed photo of The Cannibal on the wall, which was cool.

Marcus:
Don't know why but it just warms the cockles of my heart to see the pros throw their bikes in anger...

Ha, I get a kick out of that as well. Just imagining someone so frustrated that they throw around a bike that costs upwards of $8 or $10k like it's a piece of garbage. Love it. At least they have passion...
eightzero says:

Apr 11 2011 at 9:33 am

A-freakin' Merckx, Frank. A fabuolous bit of poetry. Really, really inspiring!

@wiscot: spot on!
Nate says:

Apr 11 2011 at 10:13 am

@Jeff in PetroMetro
Well done, dad!
sgt says:

Apr 11 2011 at 11:01 am

Hey, has anyone else seen THIS?

The Cipo stuff is old, but I liked the De Vlaeminck quotes, and particularly enjoyed reading about Hennie Kuiper coming out of retirement at age 63, along with a team of riders who "are old enough to know how to suffer properly". Can't find a link to the actual news story, but good stuff nonetheless.

PS Great race, great post, great mullet (too bad it's gone).
Marko says:

Apr 11 2011 at 11:25 am

@sgt
No, thanks for the link. It is really the case or is it a case of "back in my day we walked to school barefooted uphill, both ways." I think it's probably true. At least in terms of team buses, hotels, millions of euros, and so on it is. And Cipo's comments about Bertie still slay me. "accountant, surveyor"? Too good.
Pedale.Forchetta says:

Apr 11 2011 at 12:37 pm

His legs are really long...
sgt says:

Apr 11 2011 at 12:52 pm

@Marko

I think it's both. The old guard definitely laid down a higher caliber of V than the current crop. That said, although conditions have improved for modern bike racers, conditions have improved overall for most of us in the "developed" world, and for a significant portion of the "developing" world as well. (I'm happy to back up this statement with hard data, BTW)

I ride a better bike than most Tour contenders rode even 10 years ago, and it cost comparatively less than an equivalent grade (i.e., upper range but not top of the line) bike would've at that time.

I think we should all acknowledge that our forbearers had it a lot tougher than we do, while still celebrating exceptional efforts like we saw from JVS and a lot of others yesterday (Chavanel flatted twice, hit the deck hard, and still finished only 4:46 back, fercrissakes?)

I atrongly agree that the old guard had more fire in the belly, tho, and I'd like to see more machismo, elan, what have you.
Marko says:

Apr 11 2011 at 1:07 pm

@Pedale.Forchetta
Nice, looks like a P.F original.
Pedale.Forchetta says:

Apr 11 2011 at 1:18 pm

Ciao Marko
Yes it is, every photo I've uploaded here is mine.
Thank you.