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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frank says:

Apr 11 2011 at 2:30 pm

@Pedale.Forchetta
Belgium next year, Velominati Classics Cogal. I sincerely hope you'll be the photographer (and companion and friend!)
Pedale.Forchetta says:

Apr 11 2011 at 3:07 pm

It would be great!
Let's see...
mcsqueak says:

Apr 11 2011 at 5:08 pm

@Marko @sgt

It seems like every generation thinks this about the next generation to come after them. Just imagine what the hard fucks who road the first Tour thought, when the younger folks in subsequent years didn't have to stop and repair their own bikes. What a bunch of soft pansies!

@Pedale.Forchetta

Great pick, I miss seeing Felt bikes in the peloton.
Marko says:

Apr 11 2011 at 5:24 pm

@mcsqueak
Not to mention shifting.
frank says:

Apr 11 2011 at 6:36 pm

@Marko, @mcsqueak

Not to mention shifting.

Excellent point. It's all part of what we call "progress", but I'm dreading the inevitable loss of the the cable's role in shifting...
Jeff in PetroMetro says:

Apr 11 2011 at 7:47 pm

@frank
Batteries. Who'da thunk?
michael says:

Apr 11 2011 at 10:13 pm

Couple of things:

It wasn't chain suck, saw a photo where they couldn't get it up past the guard.

Van Summeren definitely won the race, but Cancellara beat all the rest.
Ron says:

Apr 12 2011 at 7:47 am

Wow, it's Tuesday and I'm still pumped up from watching the race. Still haven't gotten through all the photos on cyclingnews yet either.

Some of the crashes looked really bad. When Chavanel went out sliding (the 2nd crash on the day?)and was rolling on the road, ouch.

Also, what are others thinking on JvS's gal? Not bad, but is she pro-cyclist hotness? Maybe working man pro cyclist hot?

Anyway, not to be too shallow. She is a good looking woman and congratulations to Johan for snagging her.
frank says:

Apr 12 2011 at 8:32 am

@Ron
She must be from near Luxemburg or Germany; she kept lapsing into German during her interview, which I've never heard a Belgian do before.

(In Road to Paris, you can catch a glimpse of how conflicted Belgians are with language; a lady is being interviewed and she switches between English, Dutch, and French about 4 times per sentence.)

Anyhow, for my money, I thought she was adorable and they seem happy, so that's good enough for me. Perhaps the more notable feat was the 100 meter scratch-sprint she did in high heels across the center of the Velodrome?
mcsqueak says:

Apr 12 2011 at 9:13 am

@Ron @frank

Plus, it's "true love" when a women is willing to look past your Belgian Toothpaste and give you a kiss. That counts for a LOT.