Bloody Peugeots, always breaking down on hills. Stockeau, 1980
We’ve all watched bike races, that’s a given, but how many of us actually listen to a bike race? It’s at this time every year that I’m reminded of something;
The Ardennes Classics sound different.
How does a bike race sound exactly? In the case of L-B-L, it’s the low buzz of the TV helicopter that is ingrained in my psyche. The subliminal hum of the rotors, droning away, overlaid with the monologue of Phil and Paul (or some Dutch or Spanish guy), also droning away, is a trance-inducing concoction not even the likes of Ken Kesey ever experienced.
Be warned, if you’re a Vietnam Veteran watching (and listening to) this clip of Argentin taking his fourth Doyenne may lead to flashbacks.
While the cobbled northern Classics elucidate a mien that takes hold of our hearts and can’t really be explained, the hillier races in the last week of the Spring campaign offer their own charms for us to appreciate. The fragile climbers, who’ve avoided the rough and dirty roads in weeks previous, mix it up alongside a smattering of the Big Men of the Stones who make the crossover to give it one last crack, or to simply help their grimpeur buddies get a slice of their own pie. These are races that can go to any number of riders who are having an on day.
Which doesn’t make picking a winner in this, the final Spring edition of the Velominati Super Prestige any easier. Will a Schleck, any Schleck, stand up (or be countered). What will the reactions be if Veino repeats, will he still be the villain, or is a year a long time in cycling and he’ll be forgiven, cheered and revered? PhilGil could make his own history and take not only the triple crown of Amstel, Fleche and Liége, but the quadruple with his Brabanste Pijl win thrown in for good measure. Whichever way the cards fall, or whoever plays them right, it’s always a worthy winner who rolls across the line first in Ans.
All that’s left to do is take a look at the start list, use your Powers of Deductionâ„¢ to decide your Top V, fill in the blanks and pick up an Obey The Rules bumper sticker for your trouble. It’s a prize older and more coveted than any other cycling-based-website-race-tipping-competition-bumper-sticker-giveaway.
Maybe listening to your heart is the way to go on this one.
Best of Belgian to you.
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However this Tour bashing is a bit silly. Some sort of cyclists' reverse snobbery? When all is said and done it's the biggest race of all and because it is so hard the best man wins. Unfortunately that can make for boring races sometimes - because the best rider is the best by some margin. That is the nature of dports kids...
Sorry that would be the nature of sports...
I am surprised that the Schlecks did not at least try and one / two Gilbert towards the end, even if it did not work, at least they could say they tried something. I picked PG for the win but was yelling at the monitor - Andy what are you doing towing him along like that!
Mind, no one else was in the "picture" at the end so what does that say about the rest of the contenders for LBL? None of them went with the Schlecks move so good on the Schlecks for trying something at the 21k mark, just need to finish it off now Bros.
Alright Andy I wont write you off just yet but you better be looking a lot more on song come TDF time or I'm going to drop you so dam fast!
Nice ride by Gilbert it was always going to be a race for 2nd! Find it strange that no one really got up to challenge the first 3
@Marcus
yeah you are right, i'd just prefer a band of athletes at the top all closer together. It is impressive to see what Contador does, but probably a bit selfish on my part asking for a race as well
In the meantime, last year's VSP winner, @andy, has quietly moved back into the lead. That's the real story of the day.
Still haven't managed to watch the race, but I've got to say, this group here is much more informative than CyclingNews. Great conversation.
Without having seen the race - and stating categorically that I love the Schlecks unconditionally - this type of riding does seem to come from them pretty regularly, Tourmalet, the track stand climb, l'Alpe in '07. I can justify it saying they weren't peaking yet and Gil was and they were cooked, but if it was me, I'd attack until my legs fell off, even if those "attacks" looked like a 1rpm lift in pace. Those finishes are disappointing.
That said - and not having seen the race yet - to call them pussies after they made the race-winning move and filled out the podium seems a bit out of place.
The Tour is a great race, but I'm with @Sam on preferring the Giro. Italy is just much better suited for a Grand Tour than France; there are mountains everywhere and a closer field. I love coming into the last few days not knowing who's going to win.
For me, as a spectator, it always comes to the excitement. That's why people are pissed at the Schlecks; they didn't make for an exciting enough finish - and that's fair. But that's my beef with the Tour as well, it ends too often with someone dominating a few TT's, floating over a mountain on stage 10, and then 11 stages of watching a team ride on the front. It's a great race, just not as much fun as the Giro.
And in an instant the Spring Classics Season is ended: MSR, RVV, PR, AGR, LBL.
I was not very statisfied with the results, but results are not the most important thing for a Classics lover.
Waiting for the Spring is, the Poggio is, waiting for the Kappel muur is, le Trouée d'Arenberg is, the frantic finale of the AGR is and La Côte de "La Redoute" definitely is.
Thanks god I'm still waiting for the Giro di Lombardia.
@Pedale.Forchetta
+1. Sigh: maybe this is why I feel a depression settling in...
@Pedale.Forchetta
Beautifully said, every word.
@Pedale.Forchetta
@frank
For you guys (h/t Italian Cycling Journal)
http://www.youtube.com/v/U_O8pSMIGFI&hd=1&autoplay=1&autohide=1