a weekly double-shot of road racing
Wednesday 27th March 2013
issue 02
rapha.cc
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
SATURDAY —Volta a Catalunya S6 —Critérium International
SUNDAY —Volta a Catalunya S7 —Gent-Wevelgem —Critérium International
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
—Driedaagse De PanneKoksijde
—Driedaagse De PanneKoksijde
—Driedaagse De PanneKoksijde
gent–wevelgem review
quote:
Sagan takes Wevelgem Borut Bozic ASTANA
2
Peter Sagan CANNONDALE
1
Greg van Avermaet BMC
3
Dubiously dubbed a ‘semi-Classic’, Gent-Wevelgem was traditionally held on the Wednesday between Flanders and Roubaix. In a bid to maximise (i.e. ‘footballize’) cycling’s appeal, in 2010 the UCI moved it to a Sunday slot, before Flanders. The unseasonably cold weather led to rumours the 75th edition of Gent-Wevelgem might be moved to Monday. Instead, it was shortened by 50 kilometres, starting not in Ghent, nor in Deinze, but in Gistel. Amid the changes one thing remained certain: the big boys ride here. And none came bigger than three-time winner Tom Boonen, who on Sunday ultimately proved the old adage about ‘the bigger they are’ when he came a cropper on a kerbstone. Boonen still climbed the Kemmelberg to massive cheers but his Omega Pharma team had Cav right up there in the mix. Of the other contenders, Heinrich Haussler and 2010 winner Bernie Eisel both flattered to deceive as the business end of the race approached. Bearing not one but two lucky sevens on his back, Peter ‘The Terminator’ Sagan timed his move with Cancellarian precision, launching his decisive attack 4km from Wevelgem (and gambling, of course, that the race would actually finish there). Sagan is a rider for these crowd-pleasing times, popping a one-handed wheelie on the line, albeit only at the second attempt. Perhaps it was in recognition he’d only won a semi-Classic. On the other hand (the one not used for the wheelie), perhaps he was giving us another message: “I’ll be back.” Like the race badges featured in the Doppio? See the whole set in our Team Sky Season Guide 2013, available at: rapha.cc
The racing at this time of year is always dangerous. John Herety, Directeur Sportif, Rapha-Condor-JLT, after a crashstrewn Tour of Normandy, during which several of his riders went down. doff of the cap
Sources report a rare outbreak of sunshine in Flanders, but brisk winds off the North Sea and lows of -2C as we go to press will make Three Days of De Panne a race for the brave. Chapeau to every man on the start line.
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
—Ronde Van Vlaanderen
belgian style special
Hardmen soft pedal Ahead of last Sunday’s Gent-Wevelgem, Omega PharmaQuick Step’s (Belgian) DS, Patrick Lefévère, was overheard telling his riders: “The only way to keep warm today is to pedal hard.” While there was more than a kernel of truth in what he had to say, Lefévère was showing his age: here’s a guide to Belgian cycling style past and present. roger’s sideburns Modern Belgians are Little Lord Fauntleroys in comparison to vintage hardmen like Roger De Vlaeminck and Big Teddy Merckx. No hi-tech insulation, hats or eyewear for them. Instead, they simply grew massive sideburns and rubbed goose fat on their legs. De Vlaeminck's backwards cap, Brooklyn jersey and permanent face-huggers made him one of the most iconic riders of any era. flecha’s knees If Rik van Steenbergen had witnessed fellow Belgian Greg van Avermaet sprinting for his third place in Wevelgem in full tights and gloves, he’d have been spitting waffles. Once, knees could only be covered (bandaged) if they were bleeding. On Sunday, Spain’s Juan Antonio Flecha, honorary Belgian and all-round tough guy, kept things real with knee warmers. The rest? Soft tappers. freddy’s sausages Unfortunately for Flemish fashionistas, compulsory aero lids have heralded the demise of the ‘sausage helmet’. Pioneered by the likes of Freddy Maertens, they were once the crowns worn by the kings of the cobbles as the peloton hammered across northern Europe. With their crude construction, they exuded a simple, rudimentary charm. Today’s modern plastic lids reflect only the automaton-chic of the modern era. phil’s muffs Philippe Gilbert's ear muffs might well be the last word on modern Belgian style. His furry white pom-poms take some beating. However, the BMC rider is from the French-speaking south of Belgium, so greets the stylings of his northerly compatriots with a certain Gallic indifference. To carry off performance earwear like this? Bon courage.
is that wheelie # p r ost y le?