Was Paris-Roubaix the best of the Spring Classics in 2013? Milan-Sanremo was amazingly photogenic, Ronde van Vlaanderen was inevitable but Roubaix was just about perfect. We all prefer the wet and gray “This weather is good for us” Roubaix yet this race’s drama transcended the fine spring day in the North of France. There is no better way to understand why they are pros and we are not as when one watches the leaders burn secteur after secteur in the 53 x 17. Humbling is not a strong enough word.
With fifty kilometers left to race it was obvious Cancellara was not in his usual soul crushing form. He was riding a few groups back and not even dominating his own little pack. It was not going to be the Double. He was just another mortal, with no teammates and a lot of young bucks looking to leave him in the dust…and yet.
After a massive match burning rage he was in the lead group of four along with Stybar, Vanmarke, Vandenbergh. Two of the four were Quick-Step teammates. They hammered away toward the end of the Carrefour secteur. Vanmarke and Vandenbergh both looked strong as hell. Had Fabian not bridged up with Stybar spinning for his life right behind, those two big lads were riding away.
When they exited Carrefour it was just Cancellara and Vanmarke.
The evil lady luck was there, not to be ignored. First tempting Vandenbergh to the right gutter, inches from the spectators. He wobbled and his front wheel clipped a civilian. He was on the stones. Zdenek Stybar, moments later spooked to the left gutter and spectators, maybe clipped out of his left pedal for a second. He stayed up but the elastic had snapped. Zednek needed a good draft to stay with those men and he had lost it.
I have many beautiful memories of this race. I know how to adapt to this race, and I like the challenges it poses from a technical point of view but you need the luck. Sometimes it’s like an individual time trial though and along with luck you need to be smart. -F. Cancellara
Evil lady luck was in the gutters on Sunday. Always ride the crown.
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@Chris Since we are treating people by how the person in their avatar looks like I shall treat you like a 5 year old child that randomly insults people on the internet when in a friendly group of like-minded individuals.
It's not yet in the rules so it has yet to be against them until it is I shall not give two tugs of a dead dog about your concept of ''fabulous''.
@biggles ooh, touché, although I'd say it's a three year old. You must have spent enough time here to have realised that there is a certain amount of piss taking that goes on but if my gentle dig has upset your sensibilities, then I'm truly gutted.
As for looking fabulous, pro or whatever, it's a fairly fundamental part of this site.
@biggles Incidentally, speaking of avatars and by extension your profile, you should post some of your cycling photos up here or maybe even do a guest article. They're excellent.
I like pizza.
There's a part of me that yearns to make a KT and ride the storied cobbles and yet there is a little voice in my head that is whispering "Don't do it. You'll embarrass the hell out of yourself." I'm conflicted.
@Chris A three year old?! With your language?! By Jove!
No harm done. I've had to deal with a certain amount of snark today and I'm biting at my bit. I am indeed vaguely hipster-like because it helps in my profession. Anyway...
If we are then to actually continue the toe thing discussion: Not all cycling shoes are born equal. Some have an absurd amount of ventilation in the front. In the summer I'm pretty thankful for all of this but there are days when I could use a bit less of that. I mostly only do the full overshoe in cold and wet weather. 1C with wind and rain is enough for me. Anything over 7 C dry and I'll accept being a hardman about it. I've always found the middle bit to be tricky business and for me that's where the thing comes it. Of course it's to be used sparingly but with dark coloured shoes and less logos on them I think they could also look well.
And if anyone gives you shit about it on rides... ride them off your wheel and claim the aerodynamic advantages of the foot-condom!
@Chris I keep wanting to for a year now. I'll eventually propose one when I'm up to it and probably have a series going (either here or elsewhere) about following a tour later this summer.
Thanks for taking a look and the kind words.
@biggles
I would actually agree that would be about the only thing toe covers would be good for. They certainly aren't going to keep out any signification amount of rain if it's really pouring. And if it's only sprinkling you don't need toe covers - so they are really somewhat useless for their primary stated function.
@Cyclops There's a rule that'll help with that.
Just do it. I wasn't fast by any means last year but at no point did I feel embarrassed and I'm probably a much better rider for it. Apply enough V and you won't embarrass yourself.
Who dares doubt the sure thing? I have to admit I couldn't figure out how he was going to do it when OPQS had 2 riders in the break, but I knew that he would do it. Had Boonen been present in that break, my faith might have been shaken.