Go Rafal go
It’s a little late to be writing about the road races in Rio…but gawd damn, they were both so good that I can’t help it. Chapeau to the designer of the course, especially the finale. A very tough climb followed by an equally tough descent followed by an utterly flat but long run-in to the finish. Who knew it would produce two dramatic finishes? A one day race without big strong trade teams to control the action; there were some favorites but no sure winners. A friend who knows nothing about cycling watched both races and he could not stop talking about them. They were that good. I don’t ever need to see Annemiek Van Vleuten’s crash in slow-motion again. Thank the baby jesus she may have escaped without serious damage as that was one horrific way to stop a bike- with your face. I’ve seen no post-race interviews with Nibali but him sitting on the curb as the tv moto came by spoke volumes.
Was I happy as Rafal Majka scooted along the waterfront, safely down off the descent, heading for a solo gold medal? No, I was not. Nothing personal Rafal, I just didn’t want a climber to win this. It’s the same with Mara Abbott, I’m sure she would have been a worthy winner but damn it, a reedy climber off the front, on the flat, kilometers between her and the finish. Someone has to chase that climber down. It’s the non-grimpeur’s revenge. Once a climber isn’t climbing, they need to be hunted down. If climbers start winning too many races on the flats, well, it’s all over, isn’t it?
If Van Avermaet or Anna VDB were off the front with the same gap, they would have lasted to the finish, and I would have been cheering them on.
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@Teocalli
dammit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-k3a8CxQ8E
Damn, that was a nicely done video. Tell us more about the teenager riding with them!
Also, any concern about hearing from Run DMC's lawyers? Our local running club also has appropriated that logo, but they ain't nearly as big as BMC..
Thanks, Pedro. Yes, pretty crazy that a flat can cost you a race entirely. But, I did read some discussion and apparently picking your lines, picking your tires, and pressure are all key skills for mtn. racing. With Sagan not being full-time, some said maybe he's lacking in these areas.
@Ron
Tks, Ron. The teen is Gabriel, amateur cyclist. That peloton was formed by amateurs supported (at that time) by BMC Brazil. Actually, the "Ride BMC" logo is part of the corporate design and it was used by BMC Switzerland itself on stickers, tees and so on. So I just used it. If someone lawsuits me ... well. I just don't know what to say. :S
@SamV
Hey, it's a really good Idea, Sam. Max rez it would be video HD (1920x1080 pixels @72dpi), wich is not that good for printing a big poster.
Maybe a cool pic?
Thanks!
@Marko
Thank you, Marko. The city really helps a lot making it beautiful.
:D
@Gianni
Thanks, Gianni. As I said, an honor you guys taking time to watch it. If you get to come over, let me know and I will travel there, set up a peloton with local buddies and we shall roll!
@Oli
Thanks, Oli.
@Ron
Ron,
Bottomline is: you're right.
Almost all riders took their chance of reconnaissance. Many friends of mine from Rio helped or tried to suck their wheels in the days before The Day. I mean, the athletes knew what they were doing, but the competition is a completely different animal. And there are things particularly different over here:
-climate: really hot even on winter and REALLY humid (check accuweather). this makes the roads in those climbs slippery 24/7 as leaves keep falling from the trees, and moss forms naturally.
- tarmac quality: not poor but way worst than that. Plenty of irregularities, all kinds of holes, small and not so small bumps. Ad all that to a world class competition braking situation...
- road furniture: I hear some journalists complained about the big (how should I say, I'm not sure about the translation) "border' were the dutch female athlete fell. That thing is there because it rains a lot, specially during our summer. If that thing didn't exist, the road would be full of mud and debris. Anyway it's freaking dangerous place to hit.
- the Vista Chinesa is very steep, very technical descend. Please take time to analize it on Strava: https://www.strava.com/segments/explore#location/Vista%20Chinesa,%20Rio%20de%20Janeiro,%20RJ,%20Brasil/type/cycling/min/0/max/5/surface/undefined/center/-22.970061,-43.259082/zoom/14/map_type/terrain
All that maybe had to do with the abundant crashes.
Cheers
@Randy C
Ah, yes, Randy. The BMC version of the logo It's not my creation, it is something BMC Switzerland uses. I just work here, hehehe :P
Once I was in US using the shirt with this logo. I was in a McDonald's line and this dude came asking me questions. It turned out he was a fan of the band. I almost had to apologize...
@Alexandre Cruz
Ah damn. I would have paid for that, too.