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
I'm not sure that counts. Those white lines must have been mixed with teflon fairy dust and I think Froome got in da shark's way.
@Teocalli
Not really, it's a public road. Open for cars and small trucks/buses. Look for "Estrada da Tijuca" and "Estrada das Paineiras".
@pedro
Yeah, I was stoked to see that Belgian blue jersey on the top step. Not many were expecting that.
@Rick
You're absolutely right Rick. The Vista Chinesa climb, from the other side.
Tks.
@Gianni
Isn't that a bit like saying "I'm on a diet but cream cake does not count"?
Nice video. As far as I'm concerned, this a hi-res copy of this still should be blown up and turned into a poster. Awesome shot.
@Gianni
No, not many. I did and assume that my gold medal is in the post?
Gianni,
I was rooting against Majka in the men's race but was unsure why. I have nothing against the fine Polish rider but somehow the specter of his winning gold did not seem right. Perhaps your fine prose explains those feelings.However, Mara Abbott being a compatriot I was rooting like hell for her to hang on.
Bike racing can be incredibly cruel and somehow it seems fitting that all arounders won both races. Although perhaps a bit dangerous, the course was well designed. I hope to see more Olympic courses integrate climbs in the future. Although I believe that I read the road race in Tokyo will be pancake flat.....sigh.
Truth. I wanted Mara to win because she is American and Rafal to win because he's Polish (as are a quarter of my family), but the rush one gets tracking down a climber once the gravity advantage ends, makes my 91kg frame erupt with the truest joy.
@Rick
Being Dutch and hence compatriot to Annemiek van Vleuten, you can imagine I was rooting for Anna vdB, especially after Annemieke's "sacrifice". If it's of any consolation for you, I was in NY when the match was on.
More or less similar situation: when Dumoulin did not win gold on the ITT, I was still happy that Spartacus won since I live in Switzerland. Guess I try to see glasses half full? Still trying to find good footage of the ITT but also the men's road race, both of which I missed.