The V rides with the Pros
No one can be happy about Sunday’s weather forecast (except for 95% of the riders and support staff). I am not. Now every Norwegian non-cobble riding specialists has a chance of winning this. I was hoping for day that would separate the Rule #9 riders from everybody else. Bah!
We can take some comfort in knowing our Keepers Tour brothers will be at three different cobbled secteurs, hydrating and yelling with the the locals. Keep an eye out for the V-flag.
There is not much to say about Paris-Roubaix that has not been said. It is the race of the season.
Consult your god. Go with your heart or your head on this. Enter your choices, prepare your frites deep-fryer, the beer selection, assure your family that drinking and swearing on a Sunday morning is part of your religion.
The VSP page has the details and in case anyone forgot, the end of the season could get you here:
[vsp_results id=”32609″/]
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From my blog
in 2011...
@Oli
Calm, focused determination. That is a beautiful image.
As you can all no doubt tell - I love splitting hairs. I don't do it to change anyone's mind, you're all entitled to your opinions - but just to clarify why I'm right:
@Chris
We clearly disagree on the peloton's ability to stop - I'd compare it to a semi driven by committee rather than a car. I'd also add that I don't think changing the rule so that riders can't cross when the boom is descending or when lights are flashing would work - making it when the boom is down is the best way because it's the most predictable thing in the sequence for the riders to gauge. Obviously it can't be "don't cross while the lights are flashing" - it might start flashing after the riders pass the post but before they cross so it would be stupid rule that wouldn't be enforced. I don't think it can be "don't cross while the boom is descending/ascending or down" because then riders would be trying to guess when it starts descending - they generally don't start coming down when the light's flash but some set time thereafter - so riders wouldn't have enough time to stop if they were just getting to the crossing slightly before the boom starts moving. Making it "don't cross when the boom is down" is best because it gives the best chance for riders to see the lights, see the boom coming down and make a call about whether they need to stop or whether they can make it without being dq'd.
Also, speed limits aren't simply predicated on the existence of many cars/pedestrians/etc - they are also predicated on safe speeds for negotiating the infrastructure in keeping with it's specifications. Closing the course doesn't fully remove the premise for a speed limit. But regardless, my point was really that in a race situation I don't watch a cyclist and think that their disregard for safety when selecting their speed sets a bad example - they're racing - they're not setting an example for safe behaviour - I apply the same logic to the crossing. The essence of what they're doing precludes them being judged for unsafely ignoring road rules (not race rules - road rules). They have course rules to comply with - don't cross when the boom is down - the road rules are irrelevant to my mind. The riders assess the course before them and act on the basis of what they deem to be safe for them within the race rules - not a road rule. The guys who crossed while the boom is coming down are fine - the ones who broke the race rule should be dq'd.
@PeakInTwoYears
also, check out the spectacular sock/loafer combo on the moto dude helping the second rider through.
@Oli
In awe of those guns...
Davide Rebellin 5th today...