Categories: Awesome Dutch GuysBelgian AffirmationsLa Vie VelominatusRacingThe Hardmen

Ride Like a Girl: Marianne Vos

"V"os plays in the sand. Photo: Danny Zelck

While it took seven Belgians to dominate the Men’s Cyclocross World Championship race on Sunday, it only took a single Dutchwoman to dominate the women’s race. That’s seven times more dominanter, if my math is correct – which it always is.

Cyclocross fascinates me, mostly because it is completely insane. But I admit: I like the idea of combining Cycling and miniature golf. Put some canti’s on your road bike, take to the mud and woods, add some water hazards, sand traps, man-made climbs and jumps, and now you’ve got a sport for people who hate the way their faces look.

Marianne Vos took her fifth World ‘Cross Championship (a record) to further crowd here palmares with rainbow bands. She’s been World Champion in every discipline involving drop bars, many of them multiple times. She’s also won La Fleche Wallone more times than I can count (I can only count to three), National road and time trial championships, and the Giro d’Italia Femminile. She was even World Champion in Mountain Biking as a Junior. One could easily argue that “V”os is the best active cyclist in the world, bar none.

To that point, we don’t pay close enough attention to Women’s cycling. I’m as guilty as anyone; if I was going to pick the winner of a Women’s race, I’d likely pick Vos or Cooke (if she’s not broken, which she often is) or Teutenberg if the race is likely to end in a sprint, which I wouldn’t be able to tell you without first doing some research. And that pretty much exhausts my knowledge in terms of naming riders, which is disgraceful. After all, if one is to understand the great mystery, one should study all its aspects. (Yes, I just quoted Darth Sidious.)

With the ‘Cross season coming to a close, we’re ramping up to start the 2012 Velominati Super Prestige and with it, we are dragging ourselves into paying attention to Women’s Cycling: the 2012 competition will include women’s races with the points amassed counting towards the overall title.

We are also making some coding changes to the backend system in order to fix some problems which means we’re probably only introducing new problems without necessarily fixing the things that needed fixing in the first place.

We’re also adding more races like the Strada Bianca, changing the scoring model, and eliminating certain things such as free DNF swaps. Stand by for further updates and keep a weather eye on the VSP Page for the updated schedule and rules.

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.

Next Il Progetto: Nederaap CX-V »

Previous « Guest Article: Edric's Windy, Wet, Wild Wiggle

View Comments

frank says:

Jan 31 2012 at 10:54 am

@Steampunk

@frank

For anyone stating that Women's racing can't be as good as Men's: whether you're right or wrong, I'd prefer for us to find out, rather than to theorize.
After all, I find we can be more successful by believing something is possible than we are by knowing that its not.
As Ford said, "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right."

A-Merckx, but I think we're getting off-track.
1. Bikes and bike racing are awesome.
2. Our sport benefits from a broader base.
3. Women's cycling needs more support to help it grow.
4. The Velominati strive to learn about every aspect of this sport and serve as good ambassadors"”ethically, aesthetically, and socially. Who ever heard of an either-or?
Pedale.Forchetta says:

Jan 31 2012 at 11:00 am

Three days ago, was night, was raining, was cold but the girls were there too.
My bad I missed a better photo.
Bill says:

Jan 31 2012 at 11:36 am

And you can't go wrong with a bit of Sonya...
G'rilla says:

Jan 31 2012 at 11:39 am

@gaswepass
Email boss@topfunky.com and I'll send the link.
Bill says:

Jan 31 2012 at 11:42 am

Although these are likely more appropriate for this thread:
Bianchi Denti says:

Jan 31 2012 at 2:26 pm

@Bill A bit of Sonya could help a lot, I reckon...

Anyhoo, check out this gem. You'll need to listen to the "local flavour" commentary (particularly how the local football referee trains, and the consequences).
Souleur says:

Jan 31 2012 at 4:34 pm

excellence in action here Fronk:

I dig the upcoming spring classics, like a sophmore looking forward to the prom with the hottest senior chick on his side....I cannot wait for the classics to start.

and then you mention the 12 Prestige...nice add on brother! the chicks are cool. everyone is entitled to opinions, but here...I'll say it, there is something intently sexy and cool when a chick is in the guys pack, riding, pulling and telling a guy to HTFU! Seen it and was instantly amazed to see it, told her she was the coolest thing I had seen in years, and of course she blew me off like she did every guy, but hey...it is sexy and it is cool and classic bundled up in one.

so just HTFU up fellas, chicks are after all able to make sure we aren't just blowing hot air here

ride on, and I am so looking forward to the first prestige
Calmante says:

Jan 31 2012 at 7:42 pm

I've been doing some "research" on Julie Krasniak. Ummm... I am starting a UCI Pro Women's Team and am looking for major corporate sponsors. I'm also Hardening The Fuck Up, so-to-speak. Seriously, have you guys seen her photo spreads? Good Merckx...
Bianchi Denti says:

Jan 31 2012 at 9:54 pm

@Calmante

I've been doing some "research" on Julie Krasniak. Ummm... I am starting a UCI Pro Women's Team and am looking for major corporate sponsors. I'm also Hardening The Fuck Up, so-to-speak. Seriously, have you guys seen her photo spreads? Good Merckx...

If you can also sign up Liz Hatch, Emilia Fahlin, and Emily Collins (from NZ, by the way), sponsors will be beating a path to your door.
Oli says:

Jan 31 2012 at 11:18 pm

But let's hope that women's racing doesn't just become some sort of titillating sideshow for pervy blokes to ogle over, and is appreciated as a world-class sport in it's own right.