I had chance to take a look at the new bikes for Lotto, and wow they look fantastic. The clever flipped graphics is a nice look and ties in with the Team jersey.
I picked up the bike and I don't think I've felt a bike that feels so balanced for weight front to back. According to the folks on the Canyon stand this bike is more comfortable than the CF SLX (which in it's own right is a pretty looking bike) due to the addition of volcanic ash used in the carbon lay up on the forks & seatpost. Cyclingnews reported that Gilbert will use it for the Cobbled Classics as well as the Ardennes.
Aero road frames have come along a long way since it's first appearance over the last 1/2 a decade. Currently I think that this is the best execution of the theory of beating the wind. I'm sure that this will be a great weapon for the whole Team to use, not just Gilbert.
I'm not sure that any American racer has displayed the passion and love for the Pave like George has. He's made it cool for a whole generation of young (American) cyclists to aspire to being more than a Grand Tour rider, and frankly in my books that is no bad thing.
The question is, and a one frequently asked, will George ever win Roubaix or the Ronde? He has had some close calls, his best possible chances have been in Roubaix, and there have been a few. I still think that 2002 could rightly claim the spot for the ride where he could have won. Museeuw was away, George was chasing with a team mate who was a similar height and this made identification difficult for the commentators. Slowly they where clawing back kilometres and time towards the lone escapee. Suddenly on a cobbled section George fell into a ditch, apparently suffering with 'the knock'. It was pretty cold and damp that day and obviously the effects of chasing hard to get back to him had taken there toll. Oh and the Team mate was a 22 year old Tom Boonen who started the race as another promising Belgian talent, but ended up with him becoming one of the Cobble masters, winning Roubaix three times. A move to Quick Step soon followed and the rest is recent history. On that day Boonen finished third and Hincapie sixth.
George's best placing in Roubaix was a second in 2005, when Tom won his first of three (so far) Roubaix victories. Tom did the double having won Flanders the weekend before and was on fine form. It finished in a sprint which there was only ever going to be one winner.
Watching this small clip from this years Ronde van Vlaanderen shows how much he is at ease on the stones.
But George's palmares are not blank when it comes to winning on the pave. Winning Gent-Wevelgem in 2001 and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne in 2005 would rank highly on many professionals lists, but you get the sense with Hincapie these, although important, are not the reasons he gets up in the morning to train.
George's highest placing in Flanders came in 2006 when he bagged a third behind Boonen (yep him again) in first and Leif Hoste in second. From the consistent placings over the years George knows he has the right stuff to be a winner, he's just had some bad luck (think 06 with the broken fork in Roubaix a week later) which has been the difference between the second step and first.
I'd like for George to win it once, and if it could be awarded for the never give up mantra, he should get it. This year both at Roubaix and Flanders he didn't have a chance against Cancellara as he was truly stunning. So back to the question, 'Will George ever win Flanders or the Roubaix' well I'd have to say No as the other guys around him are stronger and younger, but you can never really say never until he hangs up his wheels. George has that ability to make adults believe in Father Christmas again, but I fear that the cold reality that its not going to happen is creeping up on any die hard Hincapie fan. George comes over as a nice guy, and for once it'd be great to see the nice guy not finish last (well 2nd 3rd or whatever, but you get my point), but to see him aloft the top step.
Maybe only in America could you add more drama to the MOST important race in the Belgian calendar. It's nice and the footage looks very nice in black and white. When will somebody do a Road to Roubaix style pic on Flanders?
I've added this after having it brought to my attention, action on the Paterberg
Having a camera mounted roadside really shows how steep these climbs are.
At 27km, with the voice of a legend, Sean Kelly
This was the second time that Cancellara put the hammer down. Losing a reported 5kg in weight seems to have given him the edge that he required to make the difference. Can't find footage of the first time on the Molenberg.
Great footage just showing the damage been done. I like the fact you can see the massive time gaps between the riders and how the cameraman (or maybe a friend) gets excited when his favourite riders go past. Isn't it great to be a fan.
This piece of coverage shows the final 10km. The damage has been done, the red hammer has been struck. Fabian goes into TT mode, impressive stuff.
Gent-Wevelgem used to be branded a 'Sprinters Cobbled Classic' and although Eisel is a Sprinter he is more in the older mode pre lead out trains and uses his brain as well as brawn to get the result. The racing over the weekend has been exciting, and frankly I live for this time of year. Every since Feb 28th we have been treated to a fine spectacle of racing at the highest level. Next weekend will be a ding dong at Flanders and anything less would be a great disappointment after the last few weeks.
So enjoy the vid's catch up with the detail and get yourself ready for Sunday.
I have long been a fan of Gilbert and have admired his gustsy riding style which is reminestant of days before power metres and HRM's. So often he has shot his bolt to early and shown all of his cards and not won a race that he should have. Many, including I, wondered how the move to Silence Lotto would pan out. On FDJ he was King and sat alone on top of the castle. Going to Silence he would have to share that lofty spot with other riders that could also dominate in the same races he enjoys. On balance it has proved to be a good move and when others have not been able to step up to the plate he has been there or there abouts to show the Team colours.
In the last two weeks he has won four races, in itself no big deal, Cavendish does this on demand. What is impressive is the range of races he has won, showing his all round class that has always been there, but now he has delivered the goods. Silence Lotto had a tough Spring Classics season. Coming close at Flanders, where Philippe finished 3rd, and although having two riders in the decisive breakaway in Roubaix, it ended up with nothing but dissapointment and heartache for the Team. The Ardennes Classics showed glimpes of what may have been, but again failed to deliver a podium spot for the Team, so close but no champagne. The TdF came and went and Evans was unable to explain his lack of form after being a major contendor in the last two years.
Time to regroup and a new focus came over them, Evans new he had a chance at the Worlds course. In some ways Evans makes a better short stage race/hilly Classics rider than an all out GC rider. The years of racing solo as a mountian bike rider translate better to these races and in my mind is where he should concentrate. Maybe it's the UCI's fault in removing the old World Cup competition is a reson that many don't want to pin their colours to the mast as there is nothing to aim for. The Pro Tour Series leader jersey has failed to capture the riders imagination in the same way as the outgoing competition. Winners of the World Cup read like a who's who of cycling and in my oinion was a better measure of the best rider that season.
So Evans went on to win a great World Champion's jersey, in a style which showed to me the Evans pre road cycling. The guy who believed in him self and made all of his rivals fear the explosive power and surge of speed he has (last seen, ergh let me think, that's it while at Mapei). I hope that he breaks the curse that seems to fall on the jersey holder. Because this is only a recent thing, in years gone past the holder of the jersey would go onto win some great victories wearing the most coverted of all jerseys.
Evans is now basking in the respect given to the World Champion, and this has given birth to a new man. Unlike many he has become a 'star and water carrier' and Gilbert's victories over the last two weeks owe some debt to Evan's performance for the cause. Having the World Champion in your Team lifts you beyond and above any doubts of the previous months nearlys and almost ran situations.
I am pleased for the Silence Lotto outfit. Unlike Quick Step who attain rock star status whenever they show up (especially in Belgium), Silence are a little more B list in comparison. This won't be the case next year as the weight of expectation will be heavy on their shoulders. I hope that they are able to cast them off and soar to new heights. Marc Sergeant will go into the winter being to plan for next year filled with optimism and hope for good results, happy days.
The French manage to capture words that describe so much better in their language than English, and for me none so more than in the world of cycling. Rouleur, a roller, someone that can push a large gear over flat or rolling terrain. These powers translate well to anyone who would want to spend evenings & weekends racing critriums. Although these riders can turn their hand to any terrain it is another branch of riders that maybe more inspirational to us normal folk.
The Puncheur, as a rider is one that for both UK road racing & sportive riders should aspire to. Puncheurs' typically are as strong as Rouleurs', but have the added weapon of being able to transfer that power to short steep gradients and on their day can keep up with the Grimpeur.
If you currently not a Puncheur, you can increase the likelihood of being so through specific training. This would be tailored around hitting the turbo to do sessions to increase Vo2 Max. This will build upon the base fitness that has been established over years of riding. It will allow you to go deeper & harder on the short steep climbs, without hitting your max heart rate.
As the cobbles are my main passion, this will be my training focus to get ready for Flanders. It may seem crazy to be thinking about the first week in April now; but I am determined to turn up fit & ready to break my own records. I'm going to enjoy the rest of the summer, hope you do to.
There is something within the human brain that seems to thrive on the difficult, the things that many normal people would shy away from. Not all cyclists are lured by the cobbles, but I now have a quixotic relationship with them as my experience was cemented at this years Ronde. In many ways it is much harder than any cross country mountain bike trails that I have ridden, with a less than appropiate bicycle.
Having watched many Paris Roubaixs' and Rondes' over the years were I have sat transfixed as the battle unfolded before me. From this point on I will view with different eyes, ones which have experienced the bergs, felt the vibrations through my hands and the elation on getting to the finish.
At the end of the day 'you can only possess what you experience', roll on next year.
