I thought I’d take this opportunity to move en danseuse on Rule #89 and to refer to Liege-Bastogne-Liege by its less-common Flemish name. It also draws into sharp relief that fact that while Dutch may be every bit as expressive and subtle as French, it certainly sounds less sexy.
Some races seem to foster a romanticism that other races of equal difficulty simply can’t match. Sometimes it is due to the parcours of the event, but many times it has to do with its history and the tales of superhuman effort that capivate our imaginations and builds on itself. The last few editions of this event have left something to be desired in terms of its legend, with the event falling to riders with less-than-pristine records. But that probably only means we’re due for another epic, so buckle in. Perhaps snow is in the forecast, or perhaps the hearts of the early break foil the computers dictating the pace to the field and it stays away. Or perhaps we wind up with a nail-biting sprint finish between the big names. One thing is for sure; the final of this race is perhaps the most difficult of any race on the calendar, with a combination of kilometers and climbs taking its pound of flesh from any who venture towards the line.
La Doyenne is a monument, and as such the winner of this event will win the customary symbol pack and earn the right to comment for the remainder of the season with the LBL Winner’s comment badge. Check the start list, watch the countdown timer, and try not to Delgado this beautiful race. Bon chance.
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
@frank
@Oli
@brett
Watch the moment of the break again. Boonen didn't go, Terpstra did and Boonen followed his wheel. The fact that Terpstra exploded in the process shows how hard he went off, but I feel like he hasn't received any kudos for picking just the right time to jump (just as Pozzato rolled off the front, so he would find it hard to latch on) and going so hard...
It was a beautiful move.
@Marcus
I agree. And the fact that the others all looked at each other gave them the first 18-20 seconds...
@Oli, @Marcus
Fair enough; by the time I watched it, I had already been at the roadside, so my objectivity is even more suspect than usual. I'll concede the point.
@frank
You always write well on the subject of doping, Frank. I think most of us "prefer that they don't dope" and also that we like to see tough, close racing or definitive displays of strength or fight.
I think its a significant problem for us (and the great masses) if we can't believe in the integrity of "the man in the arena". For the riders...its staggering (to me) if they haven't learned that lies kept for years, then exposed, are more damaging than lies exposed immediately. Eg Ullrich. I expect this year's samples will be kept until more advanced testing is available to determine their cleanliness. Gasparotto and Iglinsky know this as well as Goss and Boonen.
But I have a bigger problem with the ease in which we suspect riders depending on their nationality and team. The stats aren't convincing and they don't exactly present a case of "what has been will always be". Individuals are capable of acting on their own, regardless of team and country.
JVS, Nuyens, Goss = no suspicion VS J Rod, Gasparotto, Iglinski. All unexpected yet we're happy to call wheelsucker before doper. Why do Boonen and Gilbert raise no serious suspicion?
I'm an idealist. Give me a pos+ test and I'm happy to change my mind. Its the completely unsubstantiated speculation that bugs me.
@harminator
The main trouble is that history has shown us comprehensively that the testing doesn't work. Most of the rides who are considered dopers have never returned a positive test. Most riders who have admitted to it have never returned a positive test - or if they did, they had passed countless tests before returning a positive one. The system doesn't work, so all we have left is speculation.
I also think we've seen enough about the systematic doping regimens at teams and know enough about the histories of the team management who set the tone inside a team to not be outside reason to point at certain teams - especially the ones with recent (as in this season) doping cases - to suspect the other riders in the team. Certainly when we also know there are new drugs available. Can they act individually? Absolutely and I personally believe everyone is responsible for their own decisions. But we also know enough to realize that they often don't act alone and are subject to peer pressure and cultural complacence.
And, as I said before, since we're not in the system (most of us aren't, anyway), we just don't know and we aren't informed to pass judgement on it. Which isn't to say we don't or that we don't have opinions on the matter.
To your point, I think JVS is not subject to undue suspicion (aside from any normal amount you choose to or choose not to place on the peloton at large) because he has shown year after year to be close in Roubaix, but always in the service of another rider. Last year just happened to work out for him, but it didn't show any atypical performance from other years.
Nuyens, on the contrary, is for me the typical example of who either does not dope at all or dopes a lot - I can't decide which. His performances are very erratic with brief bursts of brilliance.
I have no opinion on Goss. Seemed to be in the right place at the right time, nothing crazy unusual. The rider doesn't inspire me and I don't think about him a lot.
The jury is out on J-Rod; I feel his rise was abrupt, but others have made other arguments and we'll have to see if he holds on for a few more years or fades away.
Gasparotto, Iglinski - well, I think we've said enough about them and why we suspect them more than others. On the surface, they are classic examples of doping, but I certainly admit it is possible they just got it absolutely right and had amazing form and had their tactics perfect. That would be awesome.
@frank
Sure. All good points. I'm not pointing the finger at you, Frank. In the absence of fact I guess it comes down to the viewer. I guess I'm more comfortable with being wrong as a naive believer. Cynicism never appeals to me - It doesn't seem particularly clever or classy.
Oh yeah - I believe in la Volupte!
@ChrisO
claiming they came out of nowhere, is not really thought trough. Vansummeren, Nuyens, Iglinsky, Rodriguez, Gasparotto... they were always there in their fields of racing. but not all are equally talented, clever, witty or lucky enough to win, especially if you have to face Boonen, Cancellara, Gilbert... what s more, they were first lieutenants of Vanpetegem, Hoste, McEwen, Hushovd, Farrar, Boonen, Valverde, Vino, Contador and had to sacrifice themselves completely.
Boonen is indeed at the top for a decade, and also had to come to surface at some point. was his first victory a surprise? he had been riding in the peloton for over two years and had shown great talent. Gilbert on the other hand slowly grew towards an exceptional form and dominance. whatever he wanted to win, he mostly did win. Cancellara is just a beast on a bike - the motor history is ridiculous.
sometimes it s just a matter of being in great shape at the right time on the right spot (Nuyens in RvV, JVS in Roubaix, Iglinsky and Gasparotto now.) all needed elements were combined and it worked out well for them.
I wont put my hand in the fire for them, as for any other sportsmen. However, I also would not accuse any rider of being on the juice. Everyone is innocent until proved guilty...
btw, I did not even remember my post, as I was on the beerjuice and I definitely tested positive (over 0,000000000000000000000000000000000000 5)
@frank
you should participate in the US elections, now Romney and Santorum are out. the way you write, convinces people (though I still think the same about the false(?) doping allegations).
You d have my V-ote!
thought through that is... overload t's o's u's and h's
@harminator
That is awesome. Hold on to it as long as you can!