Omloop het Nieuwsblad is fast approaching on March 1st, Strade Bianche goes off the next weekend; finally, ladies and gentlemen, we have a season. For me the racing season really has to start in cold, wet Europe. I like the Tour Down Under just fine, I watch it, but it’s too early, too sunny and too hot to signify the start of the racing season. The races in the desert, though I’m sure they are windy and tough, hold no interest for me. Camels and embrocation do not compute. The endless speculation about Faboo’s lack of perfect February form only means every reporter is bored and has no real stories to write.
The most interesting thing about the racing in the Middle East was seeing that Tom Boonen is whippet thin and ready to bring the pain in 2014. Knowing that Boonen is back lets me sleep better at night. He is lining up for Omloop, his team is ready to rumble on the Taaienberg, all is right with the cycling world. Please let it rain, but don’t let Tommeke get hurt.
I need to see some racers with every bit of wet weather gear on, riding into a hell storm off the North Sea. Cold and wet and in Belgium; that is the way we start the season.
The other thing that is great with the cycling world is the Strade Bianche the following week. A gravel race for the professionals? The race is new, not even ten editions have been raced, but it seems so right. San Gimignano to Siena, rolling up and down across the Tuscan countryside, many secteurs of white gravel, this is a stroke of Italian genius.
Another reason to be excited is Peter Sagan. The wheelie poppin’ curb jumpin’ bad boy comes into this season a year wiser. He has watched both Fabs and Tommeke ride away from him in different editions of the Ronde but they aren’t getting any younger and Sagan is only getting better. The younger generation of riders would like to topple the reigning twin kings of the Spring Classics but Boonen and Cancellara are still there because they are the two best Spring Classic riders of their generation. They aren’t going to go without a battle.
If no one breaks bones in the feed zones or gets infected elbows, this all portends a beautiful spring.
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
@seemunkee
I read about this yesterday. My gf and I are interested in going - we live about four hours from Richmond, VA (on MD's Eastern Shore). We were both really excited about the Worlds 1) Coming to the US and 2) It being on the East Coast. Looks like it's going to be a great course that will favor the Classics riders. I haven't been to the Richmond area for years, so it would be cool to hang out there as well.
wiscot - Ouch, that's a strong statement, but one that is hard to think is not quite true. It happens in life, and sport, but rather frustrating and depressing when someone has the talent (or intelligence) to do something more, but seems to lack the heart or commitment.
I know top-flight racing is insanely competitive and everyone is gunning for wins, but he does seem content to just be good, not better.
Yes, at last! I can forget about the decline of Manchester United and get me some real sport contested by real hard-men. My favourite races of the year! I fancy Boonen for P-R (although I think Stybar may go well another year on). My outsider for Flanders is Roelandts - worth 50p each-way! I love the point in these races where they suddenly explode - that 'now or never' point!
123velo.net is the place to be right now...
Nieuwsblad is certainly satisfying the early season cravings. Bad weather, attacks splitting the field... it's all happening.
Terpstra looking strong.
Fuck yeah... great result.
Sky got their tactics spot on (for a change).
Chose VAN AVERMAET in 1st and VANMARCKE in 3rd, so I missed both by one position.
Yeah so pasting twitter embeds doesn't work so well. Anyway, I'm bloody happy for Stannard, as is David Millar; there was a good profile in Rouleur 37 where he talked about the Classics and I've had a soft spot for him since.
Large lashings of the V. Great result for Stannard and what were we saying about Eddy Boss in the week? I don't take it all back, but good to see him do a ride.